Chad Michael Stewart – Machete Avenue

When Machete Avenue released their debut EP, First Cuts, I was in awe. It was almost three years ago and the EP just blew me away. I remember the weekend I got it, I had listened to it twenty five times (according to the ipod play counts anyway). I promoted them to all my friends and in five months saw them play three different times. Since then I only heard of them coming here once and was unable to go see them; and in that time my anticipation steadily grow for a promised full-length. It’s been close to three years and finally I have it; it’s under a new name (they went from Machete Avenue to the eponymous Chad Michael Stewart and called the CD Machete Avenue) but I have it.

Yet, I’m disappointed.

In the same way that I couldn’t describe exactly what absorbed me on their EP, I can’t fully describe what’s annoying me on Machete Avenue. They’ve added a drummer, which is actually a nice addition, and have kept the rest the same. Scotty Parker remains on the piano to fill the songs with a sense of melody while Chad Michael Stewart’s plays his acoustic guitar with a fierce intensity. The highlight remains Stewart’s vocals as they are rough and worn out and the complete opposite of what you’d normally expect to hear from an acoustic outfit like this one (although, since people like Chuck Ragan and Tim Barryhave entered the field, it’s not as far fetched as it was three years ago).

The songs are still able to build and swell with emotion as they grow and break off at a climatic point of exasperation and excitement. They still pull you in and tug at your heart strings as the delicate piano notes contrast and support Stewart’s harsh vocals. The songs are still relatable and sincere.

Still, there’s something missing.

At times it feels slightly over produced with too many layers, unnecessary vocal harmonies weave in and out and relieve Mercy of Angels of some simplicity. Echoes and computerized effects hinder Crossesand Beautifully Broken tries way too much, turning the song into a radio rock ballad (sadly, Hinder comes to mind). Other times it feels too slick and smooth while at other times Stewart isn’t able to sell his lyrics as passionately. These little bumps stop the album from fully succeeding and make it drag on, which leaves me wishing that they had done another EP instead.

There’s still some potential in the Machete Avenue but it has failed to completely control me as their EP did. I can see it growing on me but if a choice came between First Cuts and Machete Avenue, I’ll always pick First Cuts.