The Classic Crime – Vagabonds
Record Label: Tooth and Nail Records
Release Date: April 6, 2010
9/10ths of everything is effort. (Do you really need examples? I’m not a teacher.) But basically the point is this, if I took the time to foster relationships with bands or labels or my parents, I’d be much farther along. Instead I sit in a corner and wait for the wind to turn in my direction. It happens much less than you think, mostly because I’m kind of skinny and very white. I don’t blame the wind for missing me; I blame myself for being easily lost.
So good for The Classic Crime’s label, Tooth and Nail, for somehow tracking me down. I received a free copy of the band’s album Vagabonds and I’m totally bragging about it. This must be what it feels like to be Drew Beringer. You suck; nobody will ever send you a free record. You have to steal them, and for that you are no better than – insert humorous villain reference from a mid-90’s movie.
By the time “Four Chords” played through with its ridiculous catchiness and radio playability, I knew I had a winner. But Vagabonds is more than one great alternative rock song. It’s 11 great alternative rock songs. Opener “A Perfect Voice” rolls by at a pace that’s perfect for self-recollection. “Vagabonds” is riff after riff of fist-pumping optimism.
Honestly I don’t know anything about The Classic Crime other than the fact that this record is both deep and banal. No matter which level your brain is prepared to accept Vagabonds, you will leave the experience sated. Even weird takes on Gatsby’s American Dream like “The Happy Nihilist” or a soft-rock-for-acne-teens musing like “Different Now” work due to their astronomical levels of sincerity. There are moments when you may think, “Are they really into this?,” but vocalist Matt MacDonald always answers with another heartfelt wail. It’s clear that Vagabonds is more than the band’s next record. He jumps from human truth to human truth with the fervor of a wide-eyed teenager. But the joy comes from the fact that he makes observations with the intelligence of a person who’s seen it all (i.e. closer “Broken Mess").
Basically Vagabonds is at once nothing more than you’d expect from a “normal” rock band on Tooth and Nail and also what seems to be the label’s specialty: super smart re-imaginings of the crap inhabiting our radio airwaves. The Classic Crime have enough awareness to sidestep Three Doors Down Syndrome, so instead Vagabonds becomes that rare record in which you must really dig for the goodies. But trust me when I say the goodies are worth it.
Recommended If You Like: Run Kid Run, Story of the Year, Emery
Pretty much what I was expecting out of this album after the somewhat less-than-awesome-tracks I've heard so far. I love everything else they've done, so I'll definitely still give this a shot regardless.
Interesting. I love Mac's vocals and I enjoyed the last record, but not as much as a whole effort like their debut. The first song I heard from this really gave me a "meh" feeling, but I'm still anticipating its release. When is this due out?
Interesting. I love Mac's vocals and I enjoyed the last record, but not as much as a whole effort like their debut. The first song I heard from this really gave me a "meh" feeling, but I'm still anticipating its release. When is this due out?
It's in the first section of the review...
April 6th. Did you even bother to find out yourself?
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