“We Are” might be the best song that Canadian rockers Thousand Foot Krutch have dropped since the Phenomenon album. They’re full of bounce, fury, and the music is killer. It’s what rock/punk should be like, not like some of the softer side they’ve showed off in the last few years, thank goodness.
If the trio of Trevor McNevan, Joel Bruyere, and Steve Augustine produces anything better than the lead-off track, it’s “Light Up The Sky.” They’re punking it up enough to be into almost rap territory, with McNevan’s lyrics charged with religious conviction: “Nowhere else have I seen such lions led by lambs. So if you’re not afraid of it, stand up, and take my hand. We got a battle upfront, but beyond that’s the promised land.”
The title track is more mellow, but it’s still drawing on Biblical imagery, rocking thoughts about unity, finding community, and experiencing healing when finding the truth. Drilling a harder-than-Nickelback take in “Let The Sparks Fly” and the less-than-likeable “Get Wicked,” the band finishes off the “hard” side of the album, before softening back to the 2000s era material….
But it’s not finished: after the brief interlude, as “Be Somebody” reflects on being created in the image of God mixing metaphors about building a structure and being created as a soulful human being, and the few “mix up the vibe,” it’s going back to rocking. “Courtesy Call” is catchy, but almost amusing– it’s an attempt at a club song, and the harmonizes make me think boy band not hard-rocking punks, but it works to shake things up. Speaking of channeling a band: “This Is A Warning” does the we-are-the-Christian-Linkin-Park sound, and TFK has always been good at that.
“Down” is pretty excellent, and “Fly on the Wall” sounds like Bono channeling Linkin Park or something that should’ve been on the Hunger Games soundtrack but maybe that’s because I have HG on my brain. In the end, there are a few tracks I liked less than others but none enough that were really weak. Dare I say it? TFK is back!
April 18th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
When did TFK leave?
April 18th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Weak review. Red flags always go up when a critic cannot review an album without comparing it to other bands and genres.
I rate this review: C minus
April 18th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Really, Jeremy? Why is that a red flag?
April 18th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Thanks for all the comments
Ben, TFK hasn’t been as good as it was with “Rawkfist,” “Phenomenon,” etc. until now.
Jeremy, thanks! It’s good to know where I stand.
April 19th, 2012 at 11:43 am
I’m so glad I’m not alone on hte list of people a disappointed with Flame in All of Us and Welcome to the Masquerade. I’ll say it with you THEY ARE BACK! Art of Breaking was the last GOOD album they released but I will always be loyal to Set it Off and Phenomenon. Good review, very fair.
April 19th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Thanks, Renie! Phenomenon remains my favorite, but this was much better!