A lot of you saw probably saw this review coming, seeing as I think I've done pretty well in not spaffing all over this blog about how much I fucking love Creeper. Not only have they written some of the best punk rock songs of our generation, but they are on the cusp of something explosive, stratospheric even.
I get the same vibe from Creeper as I did when My Chemical Romance breached the mainstream with Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge: it feels more accessible musically than a lot of the music of the scene that they stemmed from, but at the same time they still stood proud on behalf of the freaks and outsiders, uncompromising and otherworldly. MCR may have become more of a corporate machine in their later days, but in that moment, between Three Cheers... and The Black Parade, it was a bold and brilliant time for 'alternative' music. With Creeper, I feel that excitement again as the cult-like fanbase around them continues to grow. With the Callous Heart patch proudly sewn onto my denim jacket, I have undoubtedly succumbed to the Creeper Cult.
What initially seemed to be a bunch of punk misfits with a dark delight for the macabre is now a troupe of punk craftsmen (and craftswoman) with a dark delight for the macabre. Everything from the iconography to the two-part fairytale that concludes with The Stranger has been created meticulously, but never in a contrived manner, especially not on this, their most personal release to date.
I get the same vibe from Creeper as I did when My Chemical Romance breached the mainstream with Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge: it feels more accessible musically than a lot of the music of the scene that they stemmed from, but at the same time they still stood proud on behalf of the freaks and outsiders, uncompromising and otherworldly. MCR may have become more of a corporate machine in their later days, but in that moment, between Three Cheers... and The Black Parade, it was a bold and brilliant time for 'alternative' music. With Creeper, I feel that excitement again as the cult-like fanbase around them continues to grow. With the Callous Heart patch proudly sewn onto my denim jacket, I have undoubtedly succumbed to the Creeper Cult.
What initially seemed to be a bunch of punk misfits with a dark delight for the macabre is now a troupe of punk craftsmen (and craftswoman) with a dark delight for the macabre. Everything from the iconography to the two-part fairytale that concludes with The Stranger has been created meticulously, but never in a contrived manner, especially not on this, their most personal release to date.
Their last EP, The Callous Heart, set an alluring precedent that saw bigger, more mainstream audiences flocking to see them on support slots and in small club gigs: it was fast, it was fun, but above all, it was profound. The Stranger's role in Creeper's grandiose production, as frontman Will Gould explains in a recent behind-the-scenes vid, is to embody "time and the things we fear". It's with that concept in mind that I think this EP represents Creeper going 'right, we can write great punk rock choruses, but what else can we blow people's minds with?', and out came this fucking massive-sounding rock record.
On first listen, the sheer craft, pace and majesty of The Stranger is startling and almost seems like a bit of a curveball, and perhaps that would be the case if it was a stand-alone release. However, when it's lined up in succession to The Callous Heart, it's a natural element of Creeper's sound and this is the glorious moment where it comes to fruition. Do yourself a favour and listening to both records back-to-back; that's where you will learn to truly appreciate the craft of this record.
They still have those fist-in-the-air anthems like 'Black Mass', which throws around influences from Alkaline Trio to Elvis like it's nobody's business, and is probably one of the best songs that Creeper will ever write. But then there's also songs like the opening track, 'The Secret Society': a swelling build-up into a somewhat Bat Out Of Hell-esque eruption with all the pomp of a rock opera, before giving way to 'Valentine''s uncannily Three Cheers...-era verses and huge swaying choruses.
With 'Novena' and 'Henley's Ghost' now , one thing that often gets overlooked with Creeper is their ability to write heart-wrenching balladry. 'Misery' is hardly the token ballad in this EP of frank admissions and cathartic lyricism, but it will have fans singing "Misery never goes out of style" in their arena-sized masses, and you can take that to the bank: Creeper will one day be playing arenas, and it's thanks to songs like 'Misery'.
Now, to any punk rock purists out there: you can calm their tits if you think that this is the sound of Creeper selling out so early in the game. They are not slowing down, they are not taming. They are just sonically expanding to justify those grand concepts and narratives - not that they had anything to prove in the first place. The songs were always there, as was the concept, but finally it feels like they are mutually thriving off of one another.
Around the release of their debut EP, I would have classed Creeper as 'promising'. With The Callous Heart, they became exciting. Now, at the end of this wonderful saga, Creeper are important, and as they look ahead to the next chronicle that they have beautifully set the stage for, it feels like their most enchanting moment is yet to come.
Around the release of their debut EP, I would have classed Creeper as 'promising'. With The Callous Heart, they became exciting. Now, at the end of this wonderful saga, Creeper are important, and as they look ahead to the next chronicle that they have beautifully set the stage for, it feels like their most enchanting moment is yet to come.
TOP TRACKS: 'Black Mass'; 'Misery'; 'The Secret Society'
RR RATING:
The Stranger is out February 19th on Roadrunner Records. Click here to stream the EP before its release via the band's website.
Beware the Callous Heart...
Danny
No comments:
Post a Comment