Classic Case

Classic Case

Losing At Life

[3/5] The modern-rock scene has been a dying, vapid landscape in recent years (especially since the ominous rise of those radio-ruining invaders from the north, Nickelback), so it’s encouraging that amid all of the endlessly recycled post-grunge brooding, the Incubus-evoking quintet Classic Case (including former Beloved vocalist/guitarist Josh Moore and former Glassjaw/the Stryder drummer Durijah Lang) are actually doing it well. On Losing At Life, the Chapel Hill-bred band’s sophomore full-length, CC aim for an even greater sonic palette than on their 2005 debut, Dress To Depress, tapping Helmet mastermind Page Hamilton to produce. The result is an extremely diverse 12 tracks-from shifting, unpredictable rockers ("Devil’s Advocate," "Silent Treatment"), to sleepy, sometimes somber ballads ("Living In A Dream," the title track), with obligatory splashes of high-concept drama ("All Of Us Are In Danger"). With moments recalling everything from Quicksand to Faith No More to shimmering ’80s pop, sheer curiousity will make you repeatedly ride this train to its end, gazing at the ever-changing scenery as it whirrs past. (FEARLESS) Brendan Manley

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