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Criteria

When We Break
2005
Saddle Creek

Criteria - When We Break (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Published on August 23rd 2005

There's some pretty easy bait surrounding Criteria. It's roughly Stephen Pedersen's fourth musical effort (his initial outfit the White Octave put out two full-lengths before "calling it quits" more or less) since his alma mater Cursive reformed without him, and a case could certainly be made that he's still somewhat bitter about the whole situation, as hinted rather bluntly by the chorus of When We Break's first song and lead single, "Prevent The World:" "You're preventing a world / from hearing my songs." While mention is necessary, dwelling on this topic too much is a surefire recipe for pity stew, and also one that would overlook both the stunning improvements and glaring faults of Criteria's sophomore full-length / debut for the unsurprising new grounds of Saddle Creek Records.

The band had certainly established a still small-known reputation on their (his?) debut En Garde for writing infectious, intelligent rock songs with, like fellow Omahaians Desaparecidos, a strong influence from Weezer's Pinkerton running through it, but adding even larger rock riffs and a greater number of one-man anthems. While I certainly wasn't as overwhelmed by the album as others, I couldn't help but at least be captivated a fair deal by the honest to goodness rock brought. The roll hardly accompanies, but it's a healthy delivery regardless.

Without a doubt, my favorite moment from EG was the soul-baring climax -- as well as the great buildup to it -- in "This Life," with Pedersen's "renew" line unrelenting and perversely emotional, and it's disappointing that we don't see him bring that same kind of peaking fervor at any given on point on When We Break. Why this musical vacancy exists is hard to say, since lyrically we're still watching the singer/guitarist hover above the aforementioned awkward area. And sure, it's great to hear upbeat tracks like prime standout "Prevent The World" juxtapose Pedersen's slyly cynical disposition with the song's general vibe, but to hear it musically, if only once, would've been quite the replicated treat.

"Draped In The Blood" kicks off with Pedersen's signature vocal effect and the rhythmically muttered lines "safe / draped in the blood / I don't deserve / pedigree lies / they insinuate truth," and it's an inflection I'd imagine fans of Say Anything would appreciate musically and lyrically. It's this song as well as "Prevent The World" that proves Criteria is even catchier than proved to be on En Garde, with choruses as big as ever and hooks aplenty. As strong as these tracks are, the second half approaches with lesser highlights and shows that En Garde isn't as solid as some would like, suffering a bit from an uneven quality with the band eventually slipping into recycled riff territory (i.e. track 9, "Ride The Snake," steals from the pre-chorus parts of track 3, "Good Luck," rather haplessly).

When We Break may not provide a full, 100% set of greatness, but if fans of the band's first effort can deal with an inconsistency in the LP they'll be sure to find an album full of traits greatly refined for this turn at bat.

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Prevent The World

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Prevent The World

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 5:33 PM (EDT)

criteria=chavez=great

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 12:35 PM (EST)
My Score:

I bought this CD after seeing Cursive tear it up in Santa Cruz with Headphones in October. I was hanging out with Dave Bazanat a bar through the first band and then we went back for him to follow Cursive, who were just tearing it up. I bought 'When We Break' and it's been in steady rotation in my car as I drive all over the Bay Area, and since it's not the longest CD, it hear it all like 5 time in a day...

Good stuff.

Matt Young of The Tricycle Wipeout
www.myspace.com/thetricyclewipeout

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at 8:37 PM (EDT)

okkk. i guess i'll buy it. (after 40 minutes of deliberation.) i don't know why i'm so attached to this 11 dollars.
i anticipate good, at least. not fantasmicosity.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at 4:43 PM (EDT)
My Score:

When We Break is incredible, particularly Ride the Snake. The reviewer needs some help.

En Garde was incredible. I don't know which I like better, probably En Garde just because of Play on Words.

And Stephen, I was at the CD release for When We Break and it was me who was screaming at you to play Play on Words the whole night. Sorry bout that, but playing it last definitely did it justice. Criteria fucking rules.

Posted by OverDefined on 2005-09-01 10:35:54

I saw them live a couple years ago in a filthy little basement bar in Columbus, OH. It was balls out.

I love the new record too. The reviewer is very short-sighted.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 7:23 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Prevent the World is about being stuck at a desk job and wanting to rock and about major labels promising the sky but offering dirt.

This comment alone made me go out and buy the album and it rocks. I love it so go buy it.

Posted by Inspection12e on 2005-08-25 11:53:11

Criteria > Cursive

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 11:28 PM (EDT)

what if cursive broke up? *ejaculates*

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 8:48 PM (EDT)

What if Cursive became a 3 guitar band? *Ejaculates*

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 5:27 PM (EDT)

Hi, Stephen From Criteria here.
Prevent the World is wholly unrelated to cursive.
Love those guys. TOtally honored to have been in the band and am pleased as punch over their success/popularity/kickass songs.

Prevent the World is about being stuck at a desk job and wanting to rock and about major labels promising the sky but offering dirt.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 2:38 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Props for the esq. rock.

Posted by inagreendase on 2005-08-23 13:29:06

Thanks Stephen. Now tell your press company to include lyric inserts, please!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 12:10 PM (EDT)

i'm listening to this record right now. i'm not as familiar as i am with en garde, but i'm almost there. i can't really decided between the two. i'd like to see this band play live, does anyone know if they tour?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 11:24 AM (EDT)

Do you really think the lyrics "You're preventing a world / from hearing my songs." is directed at cursive? he was in cursive 8 years ago. i dunno, seems along time to be harboring ill will. maybe it was directed at the daily grind of working at a law office or reviewers like you for that matter.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 11:04 AM (EDT)

Hi, Brian.
This is Stephen Pedersen from Criteria.
My last name is spelled "Pedersen"
and the lyrics for draped in the blood are "Safe, draped in the blood, I don't deserve. Pedigree lies. They insinuate truth."
thanks,
Stephen

Posted by colin on 2005-08-23 11:00:07
My Score:

one of the best rock albums of recent memory. such an amazing sophomore release. congrats

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 9:30 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Hmm... why does this seem more like a review of the other criteria album...

Anyway, I think this CD is better than En Garde. A great improvement over a solid (but overrated) album.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 3:49 AM (EDT)
My Score:

i like their first. this is better. and im expecting even more from their next.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 3:22 AM (EDT)

I think I liked Cursive more when this guy was in it. Tides Rush In, Retirement, and the Rhyme Scheme are fuckin undeniable.

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