36 Crazyfists
The Tide and its Takers

Ferret Records

track listing:

Recommended tracks: 

Definitely not “Only a Year or So...,” as it’s one of the most gimmicky tracks of 2008. Shame on 36 Crazyfists for penning that song. For my money, “The Back Harlow Road” is the best cut on the album. When Brock Lindow pumps into the chorus, it’s pretty fucking undeniable.

Level of Consciousness

6 out of 10… Over 8 years and 4 studio releases, 36 Crazyfists hasn’t evolved very much. You’ll find the same vibe here that you found on Bitterness the Star (2002). If that’s you’re thing, this is more of the same. If not, it won’t convert you. This is by no means an essential record. You’ll have forgotten all about it within a year.

For more information on 36 Crazyfists:
Myspace
Ferret Records

Review by Andy Valentine

From the first second you hear the curlicue twang of Steve Holt’s opening guitar hook, it’s obvious that on 36 Crazyfists’ fourth studio effort, The Tide and its Takers, everything’s just more of the same. It’s still Steve Holt rocking the start ‘n stop clean/dirty/clean guitar thing under Brock Lindow’s oddly-vibrato post hardcore tumult. To a fan that’s been following this band’s journey since the beginning, their sound is immediately identifiable.

Unfortunately, what sounded groundbreaking and innovative in 2002 doesn’t necessarily hold up in 2008. By the fourth record we all realize that, yeah yeah, Brock Lindow can do funny things with his voice. It’s not nearly as cool anymore.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially if you dig what 36 Crazyfists is all about. If you dig the pop infused sentimentality that drives this band, then sure, you’ll be all over this record. I, for one, love what this band does. It’s just that with the release of The Tide and its Takers, it becoming clear that this band can’t do anything else.

But hey, AC/DC never sounded any different from album to album either, right?

The bottom line here is that you can hand it to 36 Crazyfists to sticking to their trademark tricks, or you can criticize them for failing to ever try anything different. Each argument is just as valid as the other. Personally, I think these guys don’t give themselves enough credit. They could do tons better than The Tide and its Takers. It’s almost like they’re afraid to try.

Nevertheless, there are some moments of real poignancy on this album. The chorus on “Waiting on a War” is genuine and heartfelt and “Northern November” makes me both want to put my fist through a wall… and hug my best friend. 36 Crazyfists has always been able to provoke that same kind of mosh pit sentimentality in its fans. Just don’t say you didn’t have fair warning when you find out that The Tide and its Takers ends in exactly the same way that Rest Inside the Flames ended 2 years ago. Close out an album with a slow acoustic track once, shame on you. Close out two albums with a cheesy acoustic slows tracks, shame on me for still listening.