CHEVELLE — Point #1 (review)

CHEVELLE — Point #1 album cover Album · 1999 · Alternative Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Unitron
Point #1 is the debut studio album from alternative metal band Chevelle.

Chevelle is often noted for their similarities with the band Tool, and that certainly applies quite a bit on their debut album. Immediately those similarities are heard on the syncopated driving riffs of "Open", which appropriately opens up the album. The way heavy guitar crunch segues into soft depressive passages, see "Open" seguing into the title track, is performed wonderfully.

Along with Tool, there is also noticeable influences from bands like Helmet and Nirvana. While "Skeptic" sounds straight out of Tool's Undertow album with melancholy harmonies, passionate angry/mellow vocals, and groovy bass, songs like "Prove to You" and "Mia" show influence from Helmet and Nirvana respectively. The former for it's crushing guitar grooves and raw screams, and the latter for it's grunge-y sound. "Mia" does have some really interesting acoustic guitar work though, making it one of standouts on the album, and a perfect example of taking your influences and making something unique out of them.

The lyrics are already in typical cryptic Chevelle fashion, with few definite meanings. Some songs on this debut have religious themes, but what they mean and whether or not they are metaphors that's up to the listener. If religious lyrics bother anyone, they aren't very prevalent and only show up on this album.

The album does get repetitive after awhile, the production is sort of muffled, and sometimes the influences are a bit too obvious. A guitar riff in "SMA" sounds eerily similar to Helmet's "Turned Out", and the Tool influence is really obvious in many songs. However, despite that there are some great songs on this album, as well as excellent musicianship. For someone getting into the band, skip to the next album, where they started to develop their own sound.

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