Recorded with longtime producer
Steve Rizun in their off days during three straight years of touring,
Cavalcade finds Canadian
Fat Wreck artists
the Flatliners in top form. Their chops are expectedly tight, the songs are road-tested and true, and their sound is rougher and heavier than before, as
Chris Cresswell's throaty rasp leads the way over chugging skate-park rhythms. Bad puns aside,
"Liver Alone" and
"Here Comes Treble" are strong songs, with the rushed, harsh hooks that fans have come to expect and love. The majority of
Cavalcade holds steady in the melodic pop-punk style of labelmates
Dead to Me and
Anti-Flag, with the occasional detour;
"Monumental" is poppy enough for radio play, and
"He Was a Jazzman" briefly recalls the band's ska roots with
Scott Brigham's choppy, syncopated guitar work. Also, to break it up, a number of guests make appearances.
Dillinger Four's
Paddy Costello,
Erik Funk, and
Bill Morrisette sing on
"Bleed," A Wilhelm Scream vocalist
Nuno Pereira sings on
"Shithawks," and
Cancer Bats'
Liam Cormier sings on
"The Calming Collection" and
"Sleep Your Life Away." These are all welcome additions, as are the choice samples from the 1987 mockumentary
More Bad News. ~ Jason Lymangrover
