Review: A Wilhelm Scream - Career Suicide

Posted on 27 November 2007 | 3 Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Punk

--

Sometimes jazz musicians talk about concepts like “the space between notes” and the importance of “the notes you don’t play” when referring to selecting exactly the right phrasing and making each and every one count. Every note is indeed important to the the veteran Massachusetts hardcore punks in A Wilhelm Scream but instead of letting their music breathe, they pack as many 32nd note fills as they possibly can into their latest album Career Suicide. From the word “go” it simply explodes. It is fucking brilliant.

Imagine syrupy California skate-punk vocal harmonies fused with the pop-core melodies of Strung Out and the power metal guitar shredding of Dragonforce. Yes, I’m serious. Career Suicide finds A Wilhelm Scream simply hurling itself forward at breakneck speed and delivering one of the most impassioned and well-executed punk records I’ve heard in some time (maybe ever). There is no wanking off or posturing and there is no filler. Every riff and every searing solo is absolutely necessary to this record’s success.

My brother rarely recommends stuff to me but he enthusiastically insisted that I get Career Suicide. I did and nearly (and gladly) shit myself in awe on my first listen. I cannot stress enough just how great this album is. It is balls. Sure, I’ll hesitantly call this pop punk, but Career Suicide is much more than that. It is anthemic, fast-as-fuck, melodic, pissed off, complex, thought-provoking, and virtually flawless.

Never in a million years would I have expected to hear something this technical and razor-sharp with as many catchy hooks as Career Suicide has. It’s like Propagandhi on crack, covered in chocolate and deep fried. A Wilhelm Scream has made and un-fucking-believable record that showcases their almost superhuman chops, killer songwriting, and even a sense of humor. Fuck its awesome. Look for Career Suicide near the top of my year end list.

MP3 | A Wilhelm Scream – 5 To 9 Career Suicide
MP3 | A Wilhelm Scream – These Dead Streets Career Suicide

Comments

1 escalators - 372 days ago I loved their last two records, but I am not feeling this one as much. At first I was dragged in by the sheer amount they stepped up the intensity on this record, but there doesn't seem to be as much feeling on this as there was on Mute Print or Ruiner. Those records sounded more heartbroken, while this sounds more pissed off. Career Suicide is still good, it just doesn't hit me the same way.

2 Anonymous - 372 days ago I dont know all of AWS' old catalog but from what i have heard im just glad to hear a band carrying the 'skatepunk' flag to greater territory. im 27 now and love this, if i'd heard this at 16 i would have lost my fucking mind.

3 Christopher - 368 days ago I felt that Ruiner was too much a watered down, more palatable for high school kids version of Mute Print. Not by a lot, but enough to notice it. This one is far more experimental and technical; their latest bass player definitely adds to that. Another album in the vein of the previous two would have made me eventually forget about them, but now I'm curious to see what they can come up with next.