Sleigh Bells’ debut album “Treats” was the surprise smash hit of 2010, launching the band to the pinnacle of success (if it were 1997) by being featured in an X-Games commercial. Much like the X-Games, I am more in love with the idea of a Sleigh Bells follow-up album than I am with the album itself.
It’s not that “Reign of Terror” isn’t a good album, it just isn’t a good Sleigh Bells album. “Treats” was an experience to behold. To paraphrase a meme, one does not simple listen to “Treats.” You had to prepare yourself mentally for the sheer audible ass-kicking you were about to receive. After listening to “Treats” I would sit back and feel mentally exhausted. I just don’t feel that spark with “Reign of Terror.”
I can respect a band’s wish to diversify and experiment, but this is a step in the wrong direction. All I really wanted was a continuation of what made Sleigh Bells great: raw, aggressive guitar and chest cavity thumping beats. This was the most exposure the ‘loud noise’ genre has gotten in years and it’s disappointing to see Sleigh Bells shy away from that.
There is one major issue I have that would be irrelevant if this was almost any other band: the terrible track order. There was a definitive flow and feel to the band’s first album that isn’t replicated here. The album is a hodgepodge of fast and slow, aggressive and passive, with no regards to the pacing. This was an integral part of why “Treats” was as face-meltingly awesome as it was to see it not replicated here is a major let-down.
I wanted to make sure I wasn’t guilty of complaining for the sake of complaining so after listening to and reviewing “Reign of Terror” I let Spotify play on through “Treats.” I instantly felt justified and then exhausted as I rode the roller coaster that is the first four tracks of that album. Sorry, Sleigh Bells. Better luck next time.
The Bottom Line
65/100 – Too tame, so lame
Clicks to Pick
Comeback Kid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiwcUdX7XMw
Track breakdown:
1) True Shred Guitar – I’ve never been a huge fan of “intro” tracks and while this is kind of a song too, it still isn’t very good.
2) Born to Lose – I want to love this track but it’s just lacking that extra punch the opening of “Treats” had.
3) Crush – This is album filler of the worst degree, the kind that comes at the beginning of the album.
4) End of the Line – A clear step outside the Sleigh Bells Comfort Zone but in a good way. The drums are relegated to the back of the track behind Alexis Krauss’ beautiful voice and an almost synthesizer-esque lead guitar riff.
5) Leader of the Pack – This reminds me of a back track off “Treats” and while it’s pretty good, it is just way too tame for what I want from this band.
6) Comeback Kid – Now THIS is what I’m talking about! Unquestionably the best track on the album and as “Sleigh Bells” as it gets. You can practically picture the twduct-taped drum heads, unclipped guitar strings and slightly-stoned singer as you listen to this.
7) Demons – This track is metal as fuck (in a good way.)
8) Road to Hell – Most of this track is Alexis saying “road to hell” and I am perfectly okay with that.
9) You Lost Me – It sounds like Sleigh Bells but… it sounds nothing like them. I don’t get it either, but I dig this track.
10) Never Say Die – They bring back the heavier hip-hop drums here but it’s too little, too late. The guitar riff sounds like something from a Sega Genesis game.
11) D.O.A. – At this point I just want the album to be over.
