Reviews

An Albatross is this incredible bird with an eleven foot wingspan that has this dynamic ability to fly huge distances.  Before they can fly, an albatross needs to take a running start.  While they’re flying, they go through periods of gliding through the air followed by vigorous flapping.  Funny how similar the flight pattern of an albatross is to the life cycle of a rock band.  Before you can fly, you’ve got to take a running start? Periods of gliding versus periods of working those wings?  Of course, The Classic Crime had this in mind when they titled their second full length record “Albatross.”  After spending quite some time courting this record, I can honestly say there’s no better title for this record.  It’s about growth and victory and healing…and to say we don’t all need a little bit of that sometimes would be a lie.
 
“Music has a profound effect on the listener.  It has the power to lift spirits and change lives.” Such simple words from The Classic Crime lead singer, Matt MacDonald. Simple; yet inarguably a solid statement. From the first chord to the very last, MacDonald and his lyrics animate that statement. The band is a little Juliana Theory, a little Brand New, a little Anberlin and a little bit of what Fall Out Boy might sound like if they grew up and stopped writing about “cocking and pulling.” With deliciously hummable choruses in songs like “The Fight” and “Who Needs Air,” there’s no avoiding the repeat button over, and over, and over again. 
 
“Who Needs Air” is a prophetic and questioning song about love and success with lyrics like “I have come to the realization that life is more than what I have accomplished/And life is more than the realization that we have accomplished nothing at all/True success is so selfless so drown in the lyrics of your life and give up the air that you breathe/You don’t need anything.” The song proves to be one of my favorites alongside “Headlights” and “Blisters and Coffee,” a real fight song about rising up against turmoil and still being catchy at the same time!
 
All sarcasm put aside, I really like this record. Sure, it’s pop/indie/rock and sure, you might call it your “guilty pleasure,” but people there’s nothing to be ashamed of here! The Classic Crime deliver delectable songs on “Albatross” while healing us all with a little bit of their pain.  I suppose that’s what music is about, right? There’s music that entertains and there’s music that cures. Neither one is more right or more wrong; both just are.  The Classic Crime happens to be the latter and that works out pretty well for them.