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Christiansen

Stylish Nihilists (2003)
Revelation Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Scott
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 17th 2003

It's been over a year since Christiansen released their Forensics Brothers and Sisters! EP [review here], and after hearing this album, I can't really figure out why it took so long to follow it up. Out of the 11 songs here, none have really progressed since that EP - in fact, quite a few seem dumbed down.

Christiansen's sound is harder-edged post-rock along the lines of At The Drive-In [who the band seems to be trying to duplicate more than once on this disc]. Musically, they can keep up with some of ATDI's sloppier moments, but lyrically, some of this stuff is laughable. Take one listen to "Dead Celebrities Are Amusing" or "The Middle Finger" and try not laughing at the words singer Brandon spits out with such conviction that you have to wonder how he takes himself seriously. So many of these songs include random drug, sex, and death references that it's almost sensory overload - I don't believe a word the guy is singing.

Complicating matters is the fact that the CD contains a re-recorded "Jhazz Never Spelled So Good" from said EP. My first question is "why include a song that was released over a year ago on your new release?" My second question is "if you're going to include a song off your old EP, why pick one of the mediocre ones?" Anyway.

Christiansen must've made an impact on last fall's Glassjaw/AN/Blood Brothers tour, as 'Jaw singer Daryl Palumbo guest howls on two of the songs, "Dead Celebrities Are Amusing" and "More Saints Less Musicians" [with the latter being the best song on the album]. For more Long Island cred, the band enlisted producer-of-the-minute Sal Villanueva, responsible for Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, and any other band whose record has sounded just like those in the past year or so. Stylish Nihilists is also in that category; perhaps not musically, but sonically.

I don't mean to be this harsh on the disc, though - it's not terribly bad by any means. It's a fun listen that has been in and out of my stereo a number of times over the past two weeks and while I won't recommend it to anyone, I also won't be taking my Christiansen button off my backpack any time soon.

MP3
Kentucky Goddamn
The Middle Finger

REAL AUDIO
The Middle Finger

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Anonymous (May 29, 2004)

I've seen Christiansen live a couple times now. I'm blown away each time.

In no way is Stylish Nihilists better than Forensics, Brothers And Sisters!, but its still a grand listen.
Tracks like "A Considerable New Message", "Tragedy My Novella", "In Smut We Yearn" and "More Saints Less Musicians" are my personal favorites.

Anonymous (November 1, 2003)

you guys are idiots! they are one of the most talented bands around! the new record kills! you're all gonna die

ElVaquero (October 20, 2003)

i agree with twat. go buy yank crime.

Anonymous (October 20, 2003)

this score is for their live show. not particularly bad, but nothing memorable. at least other than the singer pointing at people in the crowd saying "you're going to die, you're going to die alone." no thanks.

Anonymous (October 20, 2003)

your button?
shutup foo!

Anonymous (October 20, 2003)

twat

Anonymous (October 20, 2003)

Shut up fatty.

maverick (October 19, 2003)

Well, one could argue that this is the point - the album is called Stylish Nihilists, so maybe the band is copping to being all style, no substance.

-Scott

Jesse (October 19, 2003)

These mp3s blew. There was no real depth to these songs...sounded like a holloe shell....some rip-off MTV clone....

Anonymous (October 18, 2003)

the same thing the same thing the same thing the same thing. Gets boring huh? All of these new bands are the exact same band. So fuck them, fuck you and fuck this band. Buy Yank Crime.
twat

Anonymous (October 18, 2003)

i had the best first impression of this band one can get--i saw them live, before ever hearing any of their songs recorded, annd i knew nothing of their sound. yea they pretty much sounded like another one of those ATDI ripoffs, kind of reminded me of Vaux. they had a solid stage presence, amazingly powerful drummer, however their singers voice was pretty damn average and their songs just lacked something. energetic , powerful, but just kind of contrived and redundant, they all sounded the same live at least. i wasnt very impressed.

oh yea they only reason i went to see them live was due to curiosity of how staylight run sound...i wasnt to impressed w/ that either.

TheDamager (October 18, 2003)

I have not once in my life ever heard another band try so hard to rip off ATDI. What is Christiansen thinking? Well, I suppose that if it were between this cd and mainstream rap, I would go with Christiansen.

Anonymous (October 18, 2003)

Long Island cred?? duh sal villanueava is in jersey city, nj at big blue meanie

Anonymous (October 17, 2003)

the singer gets pissed if you ask him if he perms his hair. it totally looks like a bad perm.

boring

hungryjoe (October 17, 2003)

I thought "Jhazz..." was a great song.

Anonymous (October 17, 2003)

there first album was good...these dudes kinda blow now...i am from louisville and would love to supoort 'em but i just cant get into there crap anymore

ElVaquero (October 17, 2003)

atdi > music

maverick (October 17, 2003)

Fuck you, dude.

[fixed, thanks]

-Scott

inagreendase (October 17, 2003)

"relwase?"

The question mark is definitely appropriate.

Anonymous (October 17, 2003)

I would call these guys an At The Drive In rip-off...but that would just be an insult to ATDI.

Anonymous (October 17, 2003)

i wish revelation still released good hardcore albums. curl up and die and shai hulud are decent i miss the days when rev would release classic old style hc. i guess bridge 9 is now the new revelation.