Chevelle

On the fourth album from the Chicago, Il-based band, the three boys continue along their hard-rock vein, breathing heaved lyrics, grumbling screams and pounding beats, with their trademark anger and disillusionment still the driving force behind their message. This album is less "anger brewing beneath the surface” and more the unleashed monster that dwelt beneath threatening to release its unfiltered thoughts. The "irreconcilable differences” departure of one of the three brothers, Joe Loeffler (bass), who was replaced by a brother-in-law, also seems to have had no adverse effect on the band or their sound. Apparent in their chunky, distorted guitars and grating screams, this album remains in their hard rock realm, not softening or selling out to corporate pop sell-ability with the passing of time. Instead, it seems to have thickened their skin and toughened their stance.