Losing at Life * by Classic Case (CD, Feb-2007, Fearless Records)

Album Features
UPC:	714753009622
Artist:	Classic Case
Format:	CD
Release Year:	2007
Record Label:	Fearless Records
Genre:	Alternative, Rock & Pop

Track Listing
1. Into a Nightmare
2. Unsteady
3. Scott Free
4. Losing at Life
5. Devil's Advocate
6. Fatal Phrase
7. Living in a Dream
8. Stalemate (Falling in Love)
9. Vampires
10. Elevator Phobia
11. All of Us Are in Danger

Details
Playing Time:	38 min.
Producer:	Page Hamilton
Distributor:	Alternative Dis. Alliance
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album Notes
Classic Case: Mitchell Marlow (guitars); Josh Moore, Eric Mendelson, Durijah Lang, Jared Draughon.Personnel: Josh Moore, Jared Draughon (vocals, guitar); Mitchell Marlow (guitar); Ben Wise (keyboards, programming); Eric Mendelson (bass guitar); Durijah Lang (drums, percussion).Additional personnel: Ben Wise.Audio Mixer: Jay Baumgardner.Recording information: Seedy Under Belly Studio, Valley Village, CA.Classic Case is one of the more successful examples of a recently emerged type: the band that arises from the scrappy emo-metal-hardcore scene with a genuine ability to forge hooks out of metal, and to harmonize. Combine that skill with powerful but nimble vocals and a killer guitar sound, and you have the makings of a great post-indie rock band. Add a producer who also plays guitar for Helmet, and you've got the final ingredient for a great album. Losing at Life isn't exactly all hits and no misses -- several songs sprawl in an unwieldy way, and singer Jared Draughon needs to grow beyond the lyrically lazy hardcore habit of referring to an undefined "this" in his songs ("Distract everyone and they won't get to the bottom of this," etc.). But the blend of strings and molten riffage on "Fatal Phrase" is handled beautifully, as is the combination of two-fisted guitar and soaring, atmospheric vocals on "Into a Nightmare." Classic Case also boasts the unusual ability to wield complex time signatures without sounding like show-offs (check out the impressive "Scott Free") and to blast off into full-on heavy metal territory without sounding stupid ("Devil's Advocate"). There's plenty right with this album, and nothing wrong that time and experience won't cure. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson

Editorial Reviews
3 stars out of 5 -- The result is an extremely diverse 12 tracks -- from shifting, unpredictable rockers, to sleepy, sometimes somber ballads...
Alternative Press