When Algernon Cadwallader decided to suddenly leak their own album to the internet a few weeks ago, fans rejoiced. It’s been 3 years since Algernon’s first full-length was released and won over a generation already in love with the indie/emo scene of the mid-late 90′s.
Since then, the band has drawn in thousands of fans as well as comparisons to legendary bands like Cap n’ Jazz and American Football. Algernon became one of the fore-runners in what many call the “emo-revival” scene. A ridiculous amount of hype began to surround the band, but all of it was true. Not only is their first album brilliant, but they sound even better live. And their fans go absolutely nuts for it.
So when the band announced that they were entering the studio to record the sophomore full-length, the scene was abuzz with anticipation. Winter was bringing us down, but Spring was on its way with a new Algernon Cadwallader album and a 2-month tour across the United States to support it.
As usual, the band did not disappoint.
Parrot Flies is a solid 33 minute album of jams to start your summer off right. The record kicks off with “Springing Leaks” , the band’s second-lengthiest song yet (the longest being the 13 minute “In Response to Irresponsibility” on their previous album).
This is as “jammy” as any of the songs on this album get. The title “Springing Leaks” is appropriate, because what follows is a flood of catchy-as-hell guitar riffs and screams held together by the ever-solid Tank on drums and Peter on bass. This record feels much more urgent and intense than their previous releases. All of the hooks and fist-pumping moments are still there, but the band leaves much less room to breathe.
Gone are the slower melodies like those on their previous album. There aren’t any songs with similar vibes to “Horror”, “On Up” or “In Response to Irresponsibility”. Also nowhere to be found is the varied instrumentation from the self-titled album (you won’t hear any slide whistles or ratchets). Instead it’s 11 tracks of straight-up frenzied, melodic indie-rock. Fans who enjoyed those slower jams might find themselves a little disappointed in this album, but it’ll still be difficult to resist super-melodic songs like “Sad” and “Chewed Up and Spit Out (Into a Bowl)” and the insanely catchy songs ”Parrot Flies”, “If it Kills Me” and “Pitfall”. While somewhat different, it’s still an Algernon Cadwallader album. I doubt even the casual listener will be able to put this down after only one listen.
Perhaps the lack of slower jams and increase of intensity is due to them losing a guitarist since their last release. Or perhaps the band is just showing growth. Or maybe they just had a shitty winter like I did.
When the band finished recording, they posted the following on their blog…
“We’ve gone through a lot of changes and difficult times since releasing our first album. It feels like a new band sometimes. Or just been flying through our adolescence. I think it would be fair to measure band life in dog years.”
Whatever the reason, the band has still managed to create an album that, for many, will surely become the soundtrack to this summer and many summers to come. The record is frantic, catchy and, most importantly, fun. Seriously, you should get on this shit.
The band still has a couple weeks left of their 1 and 1/2 month tour, so make sure to check their blog and see if the band is coming to your town! And pick up Parrot Flies on CD from the band themselves on this tour or on LP once they return home at the end of this month.
-Justin Passino
