Maine native, husband and wife duo, Crunk Witch is readying the upcoming release of their sophomore album, Faith in the Thief, March 9. The electronic effort follows in the footsteps of its innovative predecessor, but also dips its feet into some uncharted waters as well. With Brandon Miles on vocals and Hannah Colleen providing production, the mixture is a unique and pleasant journey through a story of two lovers that work together as mercenary spies. Do not expect to get one note from the duo, the album is all over the place and it has to be one of the greatest aspects of the entire project. Great vocals and brilliant production make the perfect combination.
When I got the very first taste of the duo’s new material, I must say I was blown away. “Star Spangle Bang” is a soft and carefree track…only at the beginning. A dubstep beat quickly follows and the entire pace changes for the better. Miles’ vocals are impressive, singing lyrics of inspiration, and will surely capture the attention of any listener. To know that his wife, Hannah, is responsible for the modern, intriguing production makes the track that much greater. I cannot describe what follows, but it sure did scare me to death.
Titled “Fear the Golden Dawn,” the two and a half minute segment is a pure screamo/rebel moment. To be honest, not my cup of tea and far from impressive. I do not know why the “song” was included, but it almost caused me to give up on the fascinating duo.
The real music returns with “Kill Phil,” one of the main tracks that gives off a more rock feel than the rest of the track list. Miles is a chameleon when it comes to his performances and he gives another flawless one here. For some reason I recall the vocals of AFI’s Davey Havok at times throughout and I was hooked. The song was a pleasant, unexpected surprise. It is enjoyable to hear an artist reinvent their image and sound within the same album.
The weirdly titled “Tentacle Serenade” again gives the listener something completely different. While the song maintains a consistent overall song most of the time, Miles screams out the last few lyrics in a convincing, emotional manner. The artist is drowning from a tidal wave that seems to be caused by a broken relationship. I could be completely wrong, but I get a sense of heartbreak and the impact was moving.
The dubstep influences surround the goth inspired “The Grim Raven.” I am not a huge fan of the genre unless Lady Gaga incorporates in into one of her singles, but Crunk Witch is quickly changing my opinion. The song is mellow when compared to most of the track list, but the moments of pure production boost the energy a bit when needed. The song is nothing amazing, nothing bad, but sits in the middle just as it does on the album.
If any song sounded out of place on the diverse album then it would have to be “Upside Down Safari.” The track still carries the duo’s signature marks, but there is just something about the beginning minute, the progression and the chorus that creates an experience I have never felt before. Standing out from the crowd is never a bad thing. The song caused my ears to open wide again and created a head banging moment for me in the privacy of my room.
“Lightening Blots Aligned” is a simple experience. Miles gives an echoed performance that embodies the spy love story the duo say their album is about. Listening to the song reminds me of a moment from an action movie soundtrack. I think without the busy and heavy production going on in the background, the music still works well. It shows a calmer side to the duo and I appreciate the song. Probably falls in the top half.
One of the album’s brightest moments comes thanks to the pop sounding “Scream Love.” The song succeeds because it allows raw talent to really come pouring out. Along with “Star Spangle Bang”, the track was my first taste of the album and was on repeat the entire day. The song radiates love and innocence, the piano-driven background production maximizes the ballad feel. The track deserves a single treatment and could be a big success for the duo.
Unfortunately every album comes with their disappointing moments, and “Glocktopus” takes the award from ending the good time. Right out the gate, the song has an uncomfortable feel to it, at times sounding as if pieces of different tracks were shoved together. The song does not give Miles’ vocal abilities any justice here, they just go to waste. I can barely hear what is being sung and it took some strength to get through the entire thing.
The alternative rock band vibe strikes again on “Diamonds in Death Lock,” a performance reminiscent of 30 Seconds to Mars’ Jared Leto during the exciting chorus. The track is another loud, in your face, dark experience that clearly wiped away the innocent vibe I got from the duo when I first came across their promo pictures. A horror movie sequence comes flooding into my mind when the song plays, but I am not complaining at all.
The final track, “Undercover(s),” could be considered the traditional ballad of the album if any of the songs really could be considered a ballad. The vocals are unaltered, flow effortlessly and are able to convey the serious tone of the song. The track describes the man’s desire to get into bed with the woman he loves, advising her to turn off the lights and take off her clothes. The subject matter may seem inappropriate, but done in a romantic way.
Faith in the Thief is an eclectic collection of tracks that ranges from the dubstep to rock genres, from the pop to the goth/emo genres. Crunk Witch has created an album that showcases immense talent in the vocal, songwriting, and especially the production categories. With every track the listener is taken on a completely different journey, which is a great way to experience an album. Normally the music featured on this project would not be the type I would gravitate towards, but the duo caught my attention with their impressive ear for a fresh, unique sound. The duo shows they are capable of succeeding in the pop, hard rock and dance genres. The album receives an 84%.
Tracks to Hear: "Upside Down Safari", "Lightening Bolts Aligned", "Scream Love", and "Undercover(s)"
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