Alexisonfire / Moneen -The Switcheroo Series

Thu 27th Oct, 2005 in Music Reviews

Split EPs are often like compilations; they can be overall fairly decent, but quickly lose their appeal because there are always some crappy songs you have to skip. So naturally I was a little skeptical when it came to reviewing this little ditty.

Both bands hail from the great Northern land that is Canada, and became close friends after hitting the road together for a tour. With massive amounts of mutual respect, they decided to team up again for a CD release. A fairly simple idea, both bands cover each others songs as well as throwing in an original for good measure.

Instead of the regular style of splits where one band plays all their songs, then it’s the next band’s turn, the bands alternate over the six tracks. Opening with Alexisonfire’s rendition of Passing of America (re-titled to become “Passing Out In America”) and followed by Moneen doing Accidents (“Accidents Are On Purpose”), we only see minimal change beyond pace and each does a little to add their own inimitable style. As to be expected, Alexisonfire speed things up and throw in the odd scream whereas Moneen like to slow it down and turn screams to harmonies or whispers.

Alexisonfire songs without screams? Moneen songs with screams? Strangely enough, this actually works and damn does it sound good! It’s on again with Alexisonfire covering Tonight I’m Gone… (The funny buggers renaming it “Tonight I Am Going To Wash The Hippy”), starting out with a ticking drum beat and the haunting soft vocals of singer George, thumping along before breaking out into screams that sound like he would have been sipping on a million cups of Lemsip over the following weeks.

Last up for the covers is Sharks and Danger, with a little bit of an uninspiring renaming to “Sharks in Danger”. Similarly, this cover is also a little uninspired sounding pretty much like AOF playing through different equipment and aggressive vocals toned down a few notches. In the end it sounds pretty much like a straight up cover with very little change.

The track listing goes a little wonky here and instead of Alexisonfire coming in at track four with their new song, it’s actually Moneen with their fresh tune Bleed and Blister (Version Two). If you can remember back to the early days of “emo” before it was all about eyeliner and pretty black fringes, this is where this band are at. Dark at times, this is mainly about poppy guitar playing and beautiful melodies.

The title to Alexisonfire’s last contribution, Charlie Sheen vs Henry Rollins, conjures up some pretty funny mental images. For me it was of a big-arsed, mega-buff madman beating the living hell out of a middle aged man who hasn’t a hope of inflicting so much damage as a scratch. That didn’t really have a thing to do with this review at all, but in all seriousness if this new offering is anything to go buy, Alexisonfire are sure to write one kick arse record when they finally get around to album number three. All the signature sounds are there and the musicianship is nothing short of incredible

This renewed concept of a split is purely awesome. Wait, scrap that. This concept kicks the teeth out of the old concept and spits on its pathetic, battered body. I’d possibly even go as far as to say this is the best release to come out of the punk rock genre this year!