Alexisonfire — Old Crows/Young Cardinals

Alexisonfire have gone through huge changes since they formed in 2001 in St. Catharines, Ont., and that's reflected on Old Crows/Young Cardinals, their fourth full-length album.

The band's sound has slowly evolved over their eight years and Old Crows/Young Cardinals' material is much, much different from the songs found on their 2002 debut album.

Indeed, those who deplore the band's changes and who long for the days when Alexisonfire were playing YMCAs in the 905 area code will have to get used to the fact that this band now plays Vans Warped Tour stages and the main stage at Edgefest. It's also important to take into account that many of those same fans who Alexisonfire once played to at YMCAs are now in their early- to- mid-twenties.

"We are not the kids we used to be," George Pettit, Dallas Green and Wade MacNeil chant in the chorus to opening number "Old Crows," before berating those who call them sellouts and telling them to "stop wishing for yesterday."

While 2006's Crisis showed the band taking their first few steps in a somewhat different direction, Old Crows/Young Cardinals furthers and actualizes those changes. That means Pettit doesn't scream all the time (which is probably to his benefit considering he's hurt his voice in the past), the songs are more melodic than before and all of MacNeil, Green and Pettit contribute vocals.

The two opening tracks, "Old Crows" and "Young Cardinals" confidently introduce the disc, while "Born And Raised" recalls moments on Crisis. "No Rest," with its goosebump-inducing chanted chorus, had better be a single, since it sounds like a manifesto for complete and total world dominance.

"The Northern" raises questions about God and "Accept Crime" has some of the most memorable lyrics you'll hear this year. Closer "Burial" will please Green fangirls, since it shows off his soulful voice.

Old Crows/Young Cardinals isn't Alexisonfire's absolute best effort, but it's solid all around and shows where whiney 905 scenesters can stick it.

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