Review Summary: Streamlined, focused, and experimental are all words to describe the formula behind Wonder What's Next.
Caught between Christian and indie scenes, Chevelle emerged as one of the most underrated acts in recent history. Churning out quality singles and equally as impressive albums, Chevelle was never quite given the credit they’re due.
Wonder What’s Next served as the breakthrough for Chevelle to make their mark. Successful singles showed their potential to deliver emotional yet heavy songs in a saturated music genre. Cleverly incorporating their influences of Tool and The Cure,
Wonder What’s Next produces a unique sound that is sure to intrigue new listeners.
The concept of the album revolves around adversity. Struggles with addiction, religion, and faith are explored honestly within
Wonder What’s Next. ‘Comfortable Liar’ highlights this theme by providing an intellectual tune about living in sin. The lyrics describe someone who has become comfortable lying to themselves and others. The driving riff thumps through the airspace and lures listeners into a mellow chorus before the inevitable drop. ‘Closure’ also continues the exploration by providing a look at how pride and addiction affects relationships.
The music aspect of
Wonder What’s Next is certainly a departure from their previous tone in
Point #1. The detuned guitars make their presence known in nearly every track. The riffs are thick and beefy and are certain to give casual fans something to groove to. The music relays the subject well throughout the album. The tense-climbing notes in the title track display the frustration many addicts feel when they deny self-awareness.
Wonder What’s Next has decent variety in styles. Songs vary from alternative style tunes like ‘Send the Pain Below’ onto more nu/alternative-metal tracks like ‘The Red’ and ‘Grab Thy Hand.’
Wonder What’s Next is a phenomenal effort put forth by a trio of brothers who took a daring step into the modern music scene. Having presence in both Christian and indie market is something not very common. It’s safe to say both scenes are outspoken and critical in their own right, but for Chevelle to make a mark in the mainstream as well is a different story.
Wonder What’s Next showcases influence from both areas and implements them into a palatable and more streamlined direction. Chevelle doesn’t preach to its audience, but provides an honest depiction of struggling with faith and their desperate attempts to live a better life. Combined with the raw and experimental sounds
Wonder What’s Next provides, indie fans would also be pleased despite the high production and major label debut.
Wonder What’s Next earns a 4 from me. The album is among my personal favorites and makes the best out of one of the most cluttered waves in music. The album has aged well and still provides the same excitement it did back then. The album may not be groundbreaking, but it set forth a path for Chevellle to travel. They found a style that suits them as well as refining a formula many bands tried to emulate.
Wonder What’s Next is a good recommendation for alternative fans to dig into if they’re looking for more substance or a new sound. Chevelle is criminally underrated and has a pretty consistent score on Sputnik. Maybe it’s time to show them some love.
Standout Tracks
Comfortable Liar
Closure
Wonder What's Next
Grab Thy Hand
