Hats Off to the Bull

Pete Loeffler – Vocals, Guitar

Sam Loeffler – Drums

Dean Bernardini – Bass, Backing vocals

            Let’s go to the outskirts of the Windy City for our next disc. First let’s go back to the mid-nineties when Chevelle formed. Brothers Pete and Sam began playing in their parent’s garage when Joe, their little brother, joined the band to round the line-up off. The band began playing outdoor concerts and clubs around Chicago with Joe being only 14. Chevelle recorded a demo and played small concerts for the next three years before getting signed to Squint Entertainment. In 1999, the band entered the studio for its first full length record. Point #1 spawn two singles that lead to GMA Dove Awards. The band toured for four years before their label closed. The band then signed to Epic Records in 2002. They also released their second album, Wonder What’s Next, in that same year. The album had three singles with 2 of them hitting number 1. The next release hit stores in 2004. This Type of Thinking (Could So Us In) debuted at number 8. Right after the release younger brother Joe was no longer in the band. It’s still unclear why, but he was eventually replaced by current bassist Dean Bernardini. In 2007 the bad released their fourth album Vena Sera. In May 2007, their trailer containing all of the band’s equipment was stolen. The band ended up getting some of the gear back, but not everything. The fifth Chevelle album hit stores in August 2009 and peaked at #6. The band hit stores again with their latest and sixth release in December 2011 just in time for a nice Christmas present. Titled, Hats Off to the Bull, the album features 11 tracks and has been stated that it would be “definitely returning to heavy melodic rock.” Let’s just see if that is true as we get going with “Face to the Floor.” The track rattles off a much harder track than in recent years from the guys. They open the track up with a nice guitar intro that will peak your interest. The rest of the band enters, with clear vocals and their distinct sound as the drums hit some nice strikes. The entire song comes together very well and gets you ready for some more tunes.  “Same Old Trip” keeps up with the harder beats. The drums set the stage with a huge bass hit while the guitars tag along. The vocals are clear, but begin to repeat some. The backing vocals however, save the track with their added zest. It’s not a jaw dropping tune, but it’s not one that you are going to skip when it comes up. “Ruse (Emotions in Color)” slows the album down for the first time. It reminds me of an older Chevelle tune with the vibe that it gives off. I can see a crowd just standing there for the tune as it really doesn’t inspire you to move very much, which does seem to be a recurring theme with the band. It’s not bad in the background as you do something else, but it’s not going to be your main focus. “The Meddler” takes a while to get fully going, but when it does, you can get into the track. They do resort back to the first part of the track, but the track already has you waiting for the next mini eruption. The music hits hard and you will find yourself bobbing your head in no time. The transitions are smooth and it holds your attention well. “Pinata” grabs your attention right off the bat with huge soaring guitars. The drums come flying in to top the music off before the vocals sweep in and take control. They hit some okay notes, but some are a bit sketchy. Overall I think that this tune is a slightly better than middle of the pack track. The shaky spots in the vocals hurt it just enough and nothing else makes up for them. “Envy” begins very slow and actually draws you in close. The track takes a while to get moving and if you haven’t heard it before you might turn away from it. Give it a chance or two before you do that. The vocals are clear, but with an eerie feeling to them. They add in a big drum which adds something to the song as well as making it dramatic. The music does pick up some, but really note enough for it to do much for the tune. The titled cut “Hats Off to the Bull” places some funk to the track. The offering goes through the ups and downs like a rollercoaster will ease. The transitions are smooth and music is killer. The low points are slightly too low, but in by doing so it enhances the highs to an extreme high. I really do like the overall vibe of the track. “Arise” is a slow moving tune that offers up okay vocals that deliver a decent set of lyrics. It’s not a top notch track, but it will do enough for a crowd to enjoy it. “Civilized Eyes” begins to wrap up the album down with a number that I really couldn’t get into very much. The vocals were a hair to whiny for me, and the musical lows were way too low for the track to generate any momentum. “Won’t Be Left Out” is an acoustic song that displays some simple guitar picking and easy listening vocals. However they really don't get you excited with it. The backing vocals spice it up some, but not like it needed. “Clones” conclude the album with a heavy hitter. They blast out of the gates with huge tunes before the vocals come in for the first section. They then spike them back up along with the vocals to create a killer tune. It’s like the hidden gem of the album waiting for the last possible moment to come out. This track may be the best of the album. It will kick your ass then kick you again while you are on the ground. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the album. I was expecting more of the same stuff from the last couple of albums. I was a huge Chevelle fan when they hit the scene with their first 3 albums, and it kind of died off with the last couple. This album definitely got me back into the mood of popping in that old stuff for a refresher course. This release shows the harder side once again. The vocals are very clear throughout the album with just a couple squeaks and shakes. The music is nice as well. The guitars get a bit of air time with some flair-ups and a solo or two. The drums lay down nice beats with big cymbals and hard bass. The transitions are clean and smooth. It’s a nice album to have and the quote above is spot on for me.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Tracks to Watch:

Face to the Floor, The Meddler, Hats Off to the Bull, Clones

Track List:

1. Face to the Floor
2. Same Old Trip
3. Ruse ( Emotions in Color)
4. The Meddler
5. Pinata
6. Envy
7. Hats Off to the Bull
8. Arise
9. Civilized Eyes
10. Won’t Be Left Out
11. Clones

Website (s): www.chevelleinc.com