Altsounds - Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals [Album]

Three years since this Canadian group's last album entry, Crisis, Alexisonfire return to quash theories of break-ups, disbanding and lack of intent. Much was read and also written about the lack of music being thought about and released by the band, surfacing rumors that the band was in decline and soon to split, but it can honestly be said that this album has categorically torn these rumors into shreds.

Whereas the bands previous albums ranged strongly from post-hardcore to a more ambient style, it is undoubted that the bands technical ability has remained a constant throughout their years on the scene. Taking their name from the American stripper, Alexis Fire, the band release their fourth album, Old Crows/Young Cardinals, with a lot of hype to live up to. The album ranges more towards a punk-rock approach after the first two songs, ineptly named Old Crows, and Young Cardinals respectively. Yet whilst the album steps toward this genre, there are elements, primarily in the song 'The Northern' and the final track, 'Burial', which provoke a much more harmonized, softly written outlook. With Dallas Green's sensational vocals being predominantly awesome throughout (who has also disbanded to solo acoustic project City and Colour), backed up excellently by Wade who often steps up to sing his heart out.

Many critics of this band will still preach strongly about how the band has changed their ideals strongly over the eight years that they have been a band, no-one can doubt the bands ability to pull something out of the hat, at any given point, and to at such an exceptional level. Although this album may not be in the same genre as Crisis, Watch Out and even Alexisonfire, no-one can question the passion that this band provides to their scene. Well worth checking out for Alexisonfire fans and, it is likely to gain them even more new fans.