Cable - The Failed Convict
Rating
RIYL
RebreatherCavity
Fistula
Release Date
08/18/2009
Label
The End RecordsTracklist
1. Jims Dream2. Gun Metal Grey
3. Be The Wolf
4. Failure Coming Down
5. Gulf Of Texaco
6. Welcome To Dickson
7. Outside Abilene
8. The Smashing Machine
9. Men On Mountains
10. Sleep Produces Monsters
11. Palm Sunday
12. Running Out Of Roads To Ride
13. The Failed Convict
Users RatingCreate an account or log in to rate this album |
Your RatingCreate an account or log in to rate this album |
Let’s kick off this review with a little-known fact about Cable: in the late 90s, Isis frontman Aaron Turner’s Hydra Head records released the most heralded album in the Cable discography, Gutter Queen, only shortly after issuing the Cave In debut Beyond Hypothermia and just before releasing Isis’ first demo. That’s pretty good company if you ask me, especially considering Hydra Head’s reputation as one of the more forward-thinking and successful labels in the underground. Fast forward ten years and you’ll find Cable with a new home at The End Records, a relatively new lineup and another album of Southern-tinged metal goodness.
A far cry from the discordant, Coalesce and Botch-inspired noisecore they were initially known for, Cable now employs a more calculated, meticulous approach to their craft. The aggression is still there (check out the ending of “Be the Wolf” or the deranged “The Smashing Machine”), but at this point in their career the band has a better sense of when to let loose and when to show some restraint. Several parts of The Failed Convict are composed around meandering riffs not dissimilar to the past two Earth releases, though not nearly as slowly played. “Welcome to Dickson” is one of the most melodic songs that the group has ever written, while “Outside Abilene” features some very fitting clean singing courtesy of Christian McKenna of Slacks! and Translation Loss Records.
The remainder of the album is made up of the Southern-styled, groove-oriented material the band began perfecting on Northern Failures. While there’s no over-the-top Southern riffing a la Alabama Thunderpussy or Weedeater-esque doom-inspired dirges, the group still packs plenty of grooves to get lost in on The Failed Convict. The aforementioned “Be the Wolf” and “Men on Mountains” will have listeners bobbing their heads along with guitarist Bernie Romanowski’s burly leads, while the gradual build-up of “Sleep Produces Monsters” and the melodic gait of “Running Out of Roads to Ride” show just how engrossing the band’s songwriting has become. It also bears mentioning that this is the cleanest production on any Cable album, a wise decision on the band’s part considering their slight change in direction.
After the release of their last album and misleadingly titled retrospective Last Call, it seemed that Cable’s time as a band had come to a close. Instead, the group turns around and releases arguably the most focused and well-composed album of their career. Older listeners may miss the dissonant, off-kilter sound of the band’s Hydra Head days, but more recent fans of the group and heavier music fans in general should appreciate the progression Cable has made over the course of their discography. If The Failed Convict is any indication, it seems Cable has plenty of juice left in the tank, so let’s hope they decide to stick around long enough for a couple more full-lengths. Definitely recommended.
--Matt Murphy
Comments
Lehigh Valley, PA
I haven't listened to Cable is probably five or more years. After reading this review, I really have to check this out. Good review Matt. I'm glad you reviewed this, cause I would have probably never even checked out their new album. Cable are Gods in stoner rock, and no one even knows who they are. It's a shame really.
Ann Arbor, MI
I cannot wait to hear this, their older stuff is awesome.
DETH ROK!!!!