Review: Decyfer Down – ‘Crash’
Posted: May 4th, 2009
Contributed By: Nick
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Purchase @ Amazon.com Release Date: May 5th, 2009 via Columbia / INO Records |
| Decyfer Down is: TJ Harris (Vocals) Chris Clonts (Guitar) Brandon Mills (Guitar) Josh Oliver (Drums) |
Overview: The stage was set for North Carolina’s Decyfer Down to drop their sophomore album in September 2008, more than 27 months after the release of the band’s rookie effort ‘End of Grey‘. Even though the new Decyfer Down stuff was so close you could taste it, palates were soured when the September release was scrapped in favor of a some-point-in-early-2009 date, echoing the band’s desire for a “fresh start” following a tumultuous 2008. Speaking of tumultuous, let’s not forget that amidst a myriad of release date alterations, Decyfer Down had to say goodbye to former front-man Caleb Oliver who bowed out to address personal matters. Things might have seemed grey for Decyfer Down, but it was all a new beginning for the band in the end. Enlisted to fill Oliver’s vacancy was TJ Harris, who hopped on board in the wake of his then group Fighting Instinct’s demise. Armed with Harris and renewed hope, Decyfer Down went back to the studio with their new album’s producer Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down, Revelation Theory) to re-record vocal tracks and make some final tweaks. Finally, Decyfer Down and their fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as the band’s brand new opus ‘Crash‘ is actually, no joke, no lie, fo real dawg, hitting stores on May 5. Check out the boys this spring on tour with Skillet and Disciple.
The Good: Decyfer Down take many, many months of pressure and let it all go, opening the album’s first and title track in a dovetail of sweeping rock in rope-like release. “Crash” is glowing with urgency and an immediate hook, neither of which feel rushed or over-powering. You can feel how exuberant and hungry Decyfer Down are right away which will surely help pump up listeners and lock them into the album. “Desperate” is a selecτion from the book of TJ Harris’ former band Fighting Instinct which Decyfer Down borrowed and re-worked for ‘Crash‘. “Desperate” spins a sonic trio comprised of a cutting, robust main riff, chunky, four-on-the-floor thumps, and verses built on an intricate hop, culminating in a superior performance by new guy TJ Harris; together, all four pieces of the “Desperate” puzzle help animate and empower its strong, intrinsic sense of longing. The cavernous first single “Fading” is draped in emotional sentiment that feels completely genuine and non-syrupy 100 percent of the time. A bevy of dynamic nuances sprinkled all across “Fading” help imbue the track tremendously, the final chorus bringing the tune’s melting pot of flavors full circle. A mid-tempo ballad with a high-tempo storyline, “Best I Can” is reflective, personal, and purgative. Guitarists Chris Clonts and Brandon Mills as well as drummer Josh Oliver keenly lay back, realizing the meal-ticket of “Best I Can” is punched by its poetics. When the simmering intro of “Ride With Me” comes on, you know good and well that it will have you up and moving. “Ride With Me” is roaring and pulsating, a downright romp whose chorus bounces like a 25 cent vending machine bouncy ball on a cobblestone road. After a bombshell opening, “Wasting Away” settles into a vibrant, atmospheric niche, exalted by bracing choruses and an endearing, throwback-ish bridge cut with one ridic guitar solo. “Over My Head” is completely punch drunk with giddy-up thanks to a rockin’ cocktail of sizzling guitars, punchy drums, and layered vocals-it’s impossible not to enjoy. The uber-sultry and purely passionate “Moving On” twinkles with bardic charm embellished by Decyfer Down’s flawless execution as well some production wizardry courtesy of Paul Ebersold. I really love how “Moving On” rides the modesty train all the way to its final stand, which is absolutely gushing with loveliness. The bombastic end of “Moving On” is the perfect dynamic segueing into the consistent, driving “The Life”, a simple yet timely and tasteful treasure late in the game. ‘Crash‘ closes its gates with “Forever With You”, the definition of gorgeous as performed by Decyfer Down. “Forever With You” is a heroic, touching piece of heaven that will linger in your heart for an eternity. In fact, stop reading right now and go listen to “Forever With You”; but make sure you keep the Kleenex nearby.
The Bad: “Crash” is indeed fit to serve as the album’s title track however drummer Josh Oliver would have added heaps of muscle had he utilized a crash over the ride. Because beefy bridges were the trend on ‘End of Grey‘, a more hulky “Crash” would not only be a lucid transition for the band but the familiarity would also help glue listeners in more effectively. After hearing both versions of “Desperate”, I must admit I favor the Fighting Instinct version, simply because the drum groove behind the core riff is much smoother than Oliver’s. “Wasting Away” bursts open with a riotous introduction which then plays absolutely no role whatsoever in the rest of the song, benching what is arguably the coolest aspect of “Wasting Away”. Take a good listen to the riffs of “Ride With Me” and “Over My Head”. Now go listen to Rev Theory’s “Light It Up”. Ironically enough, the co-writer of “Light It Up” was none other than ‘Crash‘ producer Paul Ebersold….
Bottomline: For those of you worried about TJ Harris’ replacing Caleb Oliver, stop-Harris will blow you away. As for the whole shabam, ‘Crash‘ is a way enjoyable record from an extremely tight band in Decyfer Down. No, it’s no ‘End of Grey‘ (which, if you haven’t heard, is a masterpiece) but it certainly gets the job done. Oh, and yes, the wait for ‘Crash‘ was definitely worth it.
TuneLab Rating: 8 out of 10
23 Comments
7 from me for being an above average but predictable rock album.
Love it, but it reminds me of how much I miss Fighting Instinct
End of Grey seemed like the more predictable album of the two IMO, once I heard the original Crash – EP I was pumped for this, and to me it definitely doesn’t disappoint.
Definitely a great album. 9/10 for me. I like all the songs pretty well and it isn’t getting old after quite a few listens already. I like the vocals really well honestly. It’d be cool to compare the two if the original ever made it’s way out somehow.
I def give this album 8.5. Not a perfect album, but a really close effort for them, especially since TJ is so much different than Caleb. The only thing that I wish is that I could get a copy of the original recordings (with Caleb’s voice) as well. TJ does a good job on this album though.
Personally I think Ride With Me should be the next single.
Very easy to listen to. A straight listen.
@Nightmare: Personally, I think Caleb and TJ have rather similar vocals. Differences are easily noticeable, yes, but similar enough to get the same feeling from the songs.
Also, I can’t say this enough. “Fading” is too good. Just insanely awesome. That song itself bumps the album up a few notches in my book.
Also, does the band not have a bass player now?
Nice review, but what happened to the song “Now I’m Alive”? I heard that was supposed to be included in the album.
Its always hard to keep a band going with a new vocalist.
TJ has fit in very well and the band could not of asked for a better replacement.
I wish DD the best of luck and all the indications are they are onto a winner with this album.
@ Nick i’m so glad you said this…
“Take a good listen to the riffs of “Ride With Me” and “Over My Head”. Now go listen to Rev Theory’s “Light It Up”. Ironically enough, the co-writer of “Light It Up” was none other than ‘Crash‘ producer Paul Ebersold….”
I thought I was the only one that heard that. It’s pretty lame if you ask me.
I had been looking forward to getting this album for a long time and it didn’t let me down. It’s definitely one of my favorites of 2009 so far. Great album all the way around.
Now I’m Alive should be the next single…oh wait its not even on the album.
It’s included on the itunes album release.
I for some reason got this album in the mail. 5/10 at best. Sounds like a 2005 record.
There’s nothing new or unique sounding about the record. Its like a stupid-man’s Red. The only album that was worse than this one in this hard rock Christian genre was the new Disciple disc, which was the worst.
@ Veritas, I agree with the sound a bit, but he (TJ) also knew how the songs were supposed to sound because of the way they were recorded with Caleb originally. I do really like TJ a lot, but he seems to have a ‘twang’ in his voice, like he did in Fighting Instinct. However, the cover that they did of FI’s ‘Desperate’ is amazing.
rockett ship that CD my way if you dont want it. I wish CDs just arrived in my mailbox for so apparent reason.
A solid 7.5 from me. “Wasting Away” merits some mention in here I think.
This album cover reminds me of anberlin’s “never take friendship personal” a lot…and as usual great review nick ; )
Why is the end of the chorus of “Over My Head” so similar to the pre-chorus of Three Days Grace’s “Riot”? Seriously, same rhythm, same vocal style, even the lyrics are almost the same.
After a few listens, though, this album is great. I didn’t know what to expect without their old vocalist but they managed to keep the sound that made their debut so easy on the ears. You can almost hear Caleb in the chorus of “Best I Can”, where TJ does his best impersonation.
You just can’t beat the original, though. I think it would have been a 9.5/10 hands down for me if Caleb had stuck around. I wonder if they’ll ever release the first recording of this album?
After many listens, I would have to say this album is way better than “End of Grey.”
I don’t like it. I’m a hard sell. I still miss Caleb. I can’t even listen to Crash or Best I Can because I’ve already heard Caleb’s versions. THANK GOD they didnt redo Now I’m Alive. Anyway. Just my take on it.
This album was okey, i expected much more because their first album is by far much better then this. TJ Harris should have stayed with his old band Fighting Instinct instead. This Life was the best track on this album. 5/10