Polar Bear Club
Death Chorus
Reviewed by: Stephen Krock
In Polar Bear Club’s newest release, Death Chorus, there is little death to be found. Indeed, they wail life into their emo lyrics like the best of them. Gosh, that sounded passive aggressive, but trust me, it’s not. Lead vocalist Jimmy Stadt continues to be a force to be reckoned with. And the talent in his bandmates’ fingers has not waned in this fourth album.
Interestingly enough, they struck more of a chord with me in their softer entries, such as the lovely “Siouxsie Jeanne” and “WLWYCD,” in which they transition seamlessly from light to hard throughout. Otherwise, the same formula is used throughout most of Death Chorus. Adrenaline pumping guitar riffs and pounding drums, while our leading man shouts “I feel regret like a knife wound.” Hey, we all feel feelings. So, it can be a crapshoot which ones land for you or not. For me, the definite hits were the intro track “Blood Balloon” and the raucous “When We Were College Kids.”
If you’re into the post-hardcore, indie punk scene, you have a solid, solid entry in Polar Bear Club. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better way to get your blood flowing.
Rating: Listenable
