CHRISTIANSEN “Stylish Nihilists”
To the cynical, defeated music fan, it’s pretty easy to clarify CHRISTIANSEN as a band that just won’t let go of their AT THE DRIVE-IN influence. After all, with out the aforementioned being an active band anymore, why not fill in the void they’ve left open? But CHRISTIANSEN, in consideration of their second full-length, and first for Revelation deserve a good deal more of analysis and credit. “Stylish Nihilists” is not a tribute record; nor is it bandwagon without wheels. After removing the first layer of impression, what the listener finds is a band resolutely committed to big-time guitar rock, bubbling baselines, and dancehall spirited percussion. For all of their artistic pretenses (and there are many!), CHRISTIANSEN hit their stride when the riffs are chunky, and the mid-tempo pace solidifies every last bit of anthemic quality. On many tracks, though specifically on “Dead Celebrities Are Amusing,” and More Saints Less Musicians,” the band’s post-hardcore stylings are as dramatic as AC/DC in a packed arena. The latter track is the disc’s closer, and features the most welcome guest vocals of GLASSJAW’s Daryl Palumbo. Without ever using an increase in tempo to draw upon energy, CHRISTIANSEN dig deeper to make use of every beat to pound over and over. Like gyrating bodies being doused by strobe lights, “Stylish Nihilists” moves with dirty but eviscerating grace. Surprisingly, even with the strength of Brandon Christiansen’s lead vocals, the band hasn’t hit a pinnacle in songwriting that lets the material become truly catchy. Along those lines, I see many of the same redeeming qualities in here as those which are analogous to GLASSJAW’s slow-roller epic tune, “Ape Dos Mil.” Many of CHRISTIANSEN’s new batch of tunes dip between loose jangles of drums and funky bass lines, and massive tidal waves of guitar layering, with over-arching vocals. The result is both chilling and engaging, even if you don’t find yourself humming it 30 minutes later. Finally, CHRISTIANSEN’s lyrics are top-notch, blessed in allegory and curt poetry. I can’t say that I always have a good idea of where the band’s going thematically, but that does not hinder my listening enjoyment. “Stylish Nihilists” delievers as expected – it’s a step up for the band, and on its own, a fine piece of creative work. Unless CHRISTIANSEN’s vocalist ends up on an imminent departure to unknown pastures, I don’t forsee these guys shaking the AT THE DRIVE-IN comparison anytime soon, but hey, we all know it could be a lot worse.
Revelation
