Quantcast
Connect with us

Music

[Review] Attack Attack! ‘This Means War’

Published

14 years ago

on

attackattackthismeanswarcover

Although Ohio-based metalcore troupe Attack Attack!‘s intention of making This Means War a seamless, fluent record is obvious even before the first listen (a quick scan of the album’s track listing reveals the repeated use of the word “the” in every song title), I was expecting a smooth record – not a repetitive one. But alas, I was once again confronted with a rather disappointing release from the four piece. After their bland rerelease of their self-titled album in summer 2011 (review), I was hoping Attack Attack! would redeem themselves with their third studio effort, and although this record is definitely worthy of a few kudos, it was not on par with what I would typically expect from the creative, genre-blending band I love. 

This Means War is chock-full of the typical metalcore fare – syncopated rhythms, gritty guitars, deep cyber-breakdowns, and all the standard vocals styles (including bellowing screams, gang vocals, and a healthy serving of whoa-oh’s). And although the familiar chug-chug style that endears all Attack Attack! fans is there, I think most listeners will find that a lot of the usual danceability has been lost with this record, replaced instead with a decidedly darker sound. Unfortunately, this departure seems to be hesitant, and the audience is left in a bizarre middle ground. “The Hopeless” introduces a bubbly, outer-space inspired electronic effect that haunts the album – it is present in the majority of the songs, and although the record does begin to venture into the realm of sounds reminiscent of electro-infused bands such as Enter Shikari and Abandon All Ships, there are points during “The Reality” that cut it too close to dubstep territory for my comfort. Additionally, “The Motivation” features a delightful piano intro, and “The Eradication” provides the harshness I was craving throughout the entire record, although it’s position as the last song on the album leaves the listener wanting more in a place where they are not going to get it. 
The Final Word: I would say this record is a solid one. It’s not a classic, like Attack Attack!‘s self-titled album, but die-hard fans will most likely find it satisfactory. In my opinion, This Means War seems to serve as the transfer paper placed beneath Attack Attack!’s original application for the metalcore club. It’s a faded impression of their previous records – and it will most likely get lost in the filing cabinet of their discography. 
Related Topics:
Click to comment

Music

‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ Celebrates 60 Years with Limited Zoetrope Vinyl Release

Published

1 week ago

on

June 10, 2026

By

A Halloween classic turns 60 this October, and Craft Recordings is celebrating with a special limited edition vinyl release for Peanuts special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.

Arriving August 7 and available to pre-order today, this anniversary reissue comes pressed on an eye-catching 45 RPM zoetrope LP, featuring memorable scenes from the special on each side, plus a new essay from Sean Mendelson.

Get a peek at the cool new release below.

The release features Vince Guaraldi‘s jazzy score, including favorites like “The Great Pumpkin Waltz,” “Graveyard Theme,” and, of course, the iconic “Linus and Lucy.”

After its first official release in 2018 and rerelease upon the discovery of the original master tapes in 2022, the soundtrack returns to vinyl in its entirety, alongside a selection of rare outtakes.

If the zoetrope LP isn’t enticing enough, look for a variety of limited-edition Halloween treats that can be found at exclusive retail partners, including an Orange 4-inch Tiny Vinyl (Target) available starting July 17, featuring “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” on Side A and “Graveyard Theme” on Side B. Pumpkin-shaped pressings will also be available in exclusive colorways from August 21st, including Electric Pumpkin Patch (Barnes & Noble), Pumpkin Spice (Walmart), Ghost White (Target), and Candy Corn (Craft Recordings). Additionally, the Orange Pumpkin pressing will be back by popular demand at all major retailers.

In the 1966 animated special, the Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween. Linus hopes that he will finally be visited by The Great Pumpkin, while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown tracklist:

Side A:

1. Linus and Lucy

2. Graveyard Theme

3. Snoopy and the Leaf/Frieda (With the Naturally Curly Hair)

4. The Great Pumpkin Waltz

5. Linus and Lucy (Reprise)

6. Charlie Brown Theme/Charlie Brown Theme (Minor Theme)/Graveyard Theme (Reprise)

7. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (Reprise)

8. The Red Baron/Military Drum March

9. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (2nd Reprise)/The Great Pumpkin Waltz (3rd Reprise)

10. Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (2nd Reprise)

11. Fanfare/Breathless/Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (3rd Reprise)

12. Charlie Brown Theme (Reprise)

 

Side B:

1. Breathless (2nd Reprise)

2. It’s a Long Way to Tipperary/There’s a Long, Long Trail A-Winding/Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag/Roses of Picardy

3. Graveyard Theme (Trick or Treat) (4th Reprise)

4. Linus and Lucy (2nd Reprise)/Linus and Lucy (3rd Reprise)

5. Charlie Brown Theme (2nd Reprise)

6. Linus and Lucy (Alternate Take 1)

7. Graveyard Theme (Alternate Take 1)

8. Charlie Brown Theme (Alternate Reprise Take 1)

9. Linus and Lucy (Alternate Take 2)

10. The Great Pumpkin Waltz (Alternate Reprise Take 2)

 

Continue Reading