Description
Point #1 is the debut album by the American hard rock trio Chevelle, released on Squint Entertainment in May 1999. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois. All songs written by the band.
Chevelle is brothers Peter Loeffler on vocals and guitar, Joe Loeffler on bass, and Sam Loeffler on drums.
It doesn’t take a genius to hear why Steve Taylor took only a few moments to sign Chevelle, after hearing them at an early gig by the Squint artist The Insyderz. Chevelle play a unique brand of rock music that offers a true alternative to the mainstream. Steve Albini (Bush/Page & Plant) has been drafted in to not only record Chevelle’s debut album, but also to produce and mix it. ‘Point no.1’ has a commendable raw yet disciplined live feel throughout, adding a compelling element to Chevelle’s already intriguingly dynamic brand of hard edged music; where simple tunes are exceptionally well executed in a professional and competent manner. Though sonically dark and rather sombre in places ‘Point no.1’ is far from being void of hope. Chevelle present gospel truths intelligently, expressing them in such a way as to capture and engage the listener’s imagination; resulting in a fine set of thought provoking compositions not to be missed. [Alex Figgis, Cross Rhythms, October 1999]
Like its automotive namesake, Chevelle is not short on power. Squint’s newest band, a Chicago-based trio, moves aggressively with the guitar-bass-drum attack of the brothers Loeffler assaulting the listener from the first crunch of the opening track, titled appropriately enough, «Open».
The marketing and press hook for this album comes in the form of producer Steve Albini, known for his work with bands like Nirvana, Bush and P.J. Harvey. Unfortunately, unlike the seminal breakthroughs produced by the aforementioned groups, Chevelle’s debut doesn’t have the sonic diversity of, say, Nirvana’s Nevermind or the track-defining instrumental (or even lyrical) hook that tunes like «Smells Like Teen Spirit» had. The closest thing to those hooks comes in songs like «DOS» and «Blank Earth», but even then, it may not lock in until a second or third listen.
Instead, the thump-and-thud of the rhythm tracks too often overwhelm Pete Loeffler’s undermixed vocals and jangly guitar, and when he does finally bring it up to a Cobain-esque wail, it’s too far into the song to really know the emotions or message he’s trying to convey. While Pete (vocals/guitar), Sam (drums) and Joe (bass) do plenty to rev up their musical engine, they don’t quite reach top speed.
Remember, though, that most power trios like Chevelle take time to simmer and find their niche as bands. Put a few more miles on the Loefflers, and let’s see what they come up with for next year’s model. [Lucas W. Hendrickson, CCM, August 1999]
> iTunes (https://music.apple.com/us/album/point-1/1168423380)
CD tracklist:
01. Open – 2:01
02. Point #1 – 4:23
03. Prove To You – 3:05
04. Mia – 2:19
05. Skeptic – 4:04
06. Anticipation – 3:07
07. Dos – 6:28
08. Long – 4:35
09. Blank Earth – 5:26
10. Sma – 2:54
11. Peer – 4:08
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Squint Entertainment.
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[youtube_sc url=”” playlist=”fmWPQ1s9NAY,YsJxcFD72OQ” title=”Chevelle – Point#1 (HD Official Video) + Mia (Widescreen MTVLA Version)” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
[youtube_sc url=”Al1lRQNy_78″ title=”Chevelle – Point #1 EPK” autohide=”1″ rel=”0″]
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