Search - Cyclefly :: Crave

Cyclefly
Crave
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock, Metal

Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
1. No Stress
2. Karma Killer
3. Selophane Fixtures
4. Crave
5. Drive
6. Crowns
7. Lost Opinion
8. King for a Day
9. Fallen Wishes
10. Tales from the Fishbowl
11. Tales from the Fishbowl

CD Details

All Artists: Cyclefly
Title: Crave
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Mca
Original Release Date: 1/1/2002
Re-Release Date: 4/2/2002
Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock, Metal
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 008811258221, 0008811258221, 0008811285326

Synopsis

Amazon.com

The second outing by Ireland's Cyclefly finds them putting further distance between themselves and the rap-metal and alterna-rock treadmills, embracing a downright '80s melodic sense and dramatic scale. Even the lyrics from the opening "No Stress" (I can't hide my frustration / I don't like generation / We don't need your limitations") suggest that this is a band significantly less interested in fashionably reinventing the wheel than it is grounding itself in a little powerful history. Singer Declan O'Shea has drawn comparisons with alternative touchstones Iggy Pop and Perry Farrell, but his expressive, riveting vocals actually seem inspired by more wildly disparate sources, variously recalling Rush's Geddy Lee ("Selophane Fixtures") and the Psychedelic Furs' Richard Butler (the rhythmic, low-key impressionism of the title track and the edgy, entrancing "Crowns"). The twin guitars of Declan's brother Ciaran and Nono Presta are powerful underpinnings throughout, whether grinding out stereotypical buzz-saw chords or the more lyrical riffing of the anthemic "Drive." But while it's refreshing to find a young band savvy enough to realize that a quarter century of punk rock has spawned its own considerable body of tired clichés, Cyclefly occasionally plays it a little too familiar when spreading their songwriting wings. Still, it's hard to argue with results that immediately grab a listener's attention and keep it so masterfully. This is the sound of a great young band still finding its voice--and a far cry from the sophomore slump. --Jerry McCulley

CD Reviews

Bring back generation sap!

sinsofthedove | New York, NY United States | 05/06/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The press section of Irish band Cyclefly's website is headed off with a quote from Linkin Park's very own Chester Bennington, which might indicate exactly what the problem might be on their new album, Crave. The highly original, quirky pop-rock-metal sound of Generation Sap, their first album, has dissipated, leaving behind diluted melodies and rhythms that reek of mainstream radio rock. Luckily, Declan O'Shea's signature vocals are distinctive enough to set the band apart no matter how monotonous their music gets, but that's not enough to distract an old fan from the fact that, not only is Bennington polluting the otherwise catchy "Karma Killer" with his vocal contributions, even the font used for the bands name on the cover seems reminiscent of Hybrid Theory.
Crave is Cyclefly's second album, released under the patronage of Bennington as well as major label MCA. Those who heard Generation Sap might not like the change that is evident on Crave. The opening track of Generation Sap, "Violet High", featured innovative guitar with a lot of pedal, and Declan's typically abstract lyrics set to a more captivating tune than anything on Crave. On the whole, the sound of the album was much more open, in contrast to the heavy, almost rap-metal feel of Crave.
Mourning the "old Cyclefly" aside, the album does have some good songs on it. One of the best is "Selophane Fixtures", which sounds more than anything else like everything that was good about Generation Sap. The pedal guitar is there, and the rhythm guitar isn't so heavy that you can't hear Declan's voice. "Lost Opinion" is good too, for the same reasons. And, lest someone think I'm one of those people who just can't stand it when a band wants to change their sound, "No Stress", "Karma Killer" (minus Bennington!) and "Crowns" are all good tracks as well, even while they explore new musical ground and lean towards a more metal-y sound. If Cyclefly were looking to evolve and mature, this should be the direction they should be heading in. But the inclusion of such tracks as the totally non-descript "Crave" (the title track, for god's sake!) and "King For a Day" seems to indicate that Cyclefly are headed for not maturity, but conformity and mass acceptance. Or that they're trying to sound like Linkin Park, not that there's a difference.
For the record, I completely respect a band's right to experiment with their style and sound, but I fear that attention from MCA and Mr. Linkin Park are having a less-than-beneficial effect on the truly unique band that is Cyclefly..."

This album is pretty damn good

sinsofthedove | 04/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although they've softened up a bit on this record, the quality of the songs are still great. I honestly got into these guys first because Declan's voice sounds so much like Geddy Lee's, and although that doesn't change, I think lyrically, he's really come into his own. Best song on here is definitely "Karma Killer" because Chester Bennington from Linkin Park is on it. I hope this becomes a big hit for these guys."