This Criminal Soul
New Haven, Connecticut, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013
Music
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Gritty, raw, pure energy – This Criminal Soul’s latest single “65 Corvette” gives you all you could want out of a rock n’ roll band. From the first 4 seconds of the song – a “yeah!” and high hat count off – through the final 5:22 counter, I immediately got the feeling that this single just wouldn’t let up its energy. Luckily, I was right.
With a simple song construction, focusing on mostly repetitive A/B/Chorus sections that have repeating guitar and bass riffs but just enough drum flavor to keep things fresh, the instrumentals of “65 Corvette” excel at providing a foundation for a narrative – because who doesn’t love driving through the desert in a damn Corvette?
And the narrative lyricism is something worth highlighting; though I typically listen to much heavier music that lyrically focuses on pure emotional abstraction, Christoph Whitbeck’s storytelling is a nice break from abstract material. There’s enough imagery to provide characterization and location even though the focus of the content is plot-driven, which are the sure signs of a seasoned writer.
The single also plays with tension and release in a tasteful way; for example, a guitar solo kicks in at 3:10 and is as rock n’ roll as you could want, with the drums and bass not trying to overtake it, despite moments where they easily could. Rather than keep the energy high, the bridge at 3:40 becomes softer – but instead of killing the energy, it sets 4:03’s buildup to be energetic enough that its screamed sections from 4:13 – 4:30 climax the song.
While I try to remain unbiased to the nuances that come with different genres, I will say that I think the most lacking part of the song is the production, most notably on the kick drum and floor tom, and also in the absence of guitar double tracking. But despite its lack of fullness, the production still captures that rock n’ roll grit, and I doubt the average rock listener will catch any flaws with the song. It’s also worth noting that the tones in this song are fitting of the genre and work well together.
Overall, “65 Corvette” is worth the listen – and if you like the recording, the song is even more of a force live. With a new album in the works from the band, I can’t wait to hear what else This Criminal Soul can put out and how this will serve as a stepping stone for their sound. – 4/5
You can download “65 Corvette” on Bandcamp. - Alternative Control
Discography
65 Corvette (Demo)
Self-Released July 2015
http://thiscriminalsoul.bandcamp.com/album/65-corvette
The Devil Plays Poker Original Cast Recording
Self-Released January 2014
A Rock Opera
http://thiscriminalsoul.bandcamp.com/album/the-devil-plays-poker
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Bio
"This is all that's left, I guess." Sean held up a filthy guitar with rusted broken strings sticking out at all angles, stained with streaks of ash and soot. Defeated, he handed it to the mountain of a man before him, across the street from the burned out theater. "Looks like we lost the rest."
The virus had only arrived 6 weeks earlier, but already had a firm grip on the town. Corpses littered the sidewalks and gutters, and those who still had any appetite left could be seen hunched over them, spines sticking out through broken flesh and tattered clothing, feeding on the fetid flesh of their former friends.
The old silent film theater, once a sacred place of music, dancing, and make believe, had been turned into a makeshift trauma ward as the local doctors and EMTs tried to figure out what illness was sweeping through, so quickly, so deadly. The hospital beds and sheets stained with human filth and disease had proved ample fuel for the blaze that destroyed it all.
I can see the curtain falling still in my mind, fire creeping up and tearing down the rafters, the old persian carpet on the stage, saturated with dust, exploding in the blaze. We had already cleared out the smaller instruments, makeup, and some of the costumes, but my guitar had been left behind.
I took it from him now.
"Well I suppose there's only one thing to do then," I said.
"Rock and roll?" Sean asked.
"Rock, and roll."
We left then, and never looked back. We would never set foot in this town again. The road ahead, you see, was much brighter. It would bring us out of the past, out of the darkness. It would bring us love, truth, and glory.
It would bring us to you.
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