Ace Troubleshooter's sophomore effort, The Madness of the Crowds, is something of a dream come true for a half-hearted pop/punk fan like myself. On the one hand, I've always been attracted to the pure, raw energy and passion of the genre, and Ace men offer up plenty of that with their new record. On the other hand, though, modern punk music has always seemed a bit repetitive to me. After two or three songs with similar riffs and tempos in a row, it tends to get a bit tiresome. Thankfully, Ace Troubleshooter has rectified this problem with their relatively diverse new album, making The Madness of the Crowds a must-buy for any Christian pop/punk fan- even wimpy ones like me.
The band has been touring constantly since their debut record made a minor blip on the Christian rock radar two years ago, and the positive effect it has had on Ace is apparent from the first listen. More mature and eclectic than their self-titled freshman release, The Madness of the Crowds finds Ace Troubleshooter adding a few new elements to their formulaic pop/punk sound. Though the change is nothing groundbreaking or extreme, the addition of more traditional rock 'n' roll and emo elements to Ace's musical brew makes the album not only more unpredictable, but also more accessible.
Take "2:00 Your Time," for example. Vocally and lyrically similar to The Juliana Theory's "This is Not A Love Song," the song finds Ace Troubleshooter slowing things down a bit for a brief moment of contemplation, as vocalist John Warne quietly sings over a lone electric guitar strum. Though the song eventually kicks back into typical, rapid-fire pop/punk mode, it's nice to know that Ace Troubleshooter is capable of being soft and reflective, even if it's only for part of a song.
If that song doesn't sell you on Ace Troubleshooter's semi-sophisticated new punk sound, try the emo-flavored "Estella." After an admittedly irritating electric guitar intro, the song takes an unexpected turn into slower, more melodic territory. Showcasing moody instrumentation and one of Warne's softer, more delicate vocals, "Estella" is a significant album highlight that makes one wish this band would dabble in emo more often.
Still skeptical about The Madness of the Crowds? Just give "Numinous" a listen. Boasting a laid back, lazy drum beat and some surprising vocal harmonies, "Numinous" is another emo-influenced track, in the same vein as "Estella." This lazy groove of a song, arguably the most emotional on the album, features some impressive, intricate guitar and drum work, not to mention one of the most memorably atmospheric choruses in Ace Troubleshooter history.
If this record sounds too good to be true, please take note of some of the downsides: Lyrically, this album is merely mediocre, as most of the songs are the typical love/love lost songs that are so typical of the pop/punk and emo genres, though the band does make a few leaps towards lyrical greatness, such as the clever social commentary of the title track. Also, there are a few more mundane, run-of-the-mill pop/punk tunes, such as "Your Reach," that seem almost like filler when compared to the more exciting sounds of surrounding tracks. Still, The Madness of the Crowds is something of a triumph for Ace Troubleshooter, one that finds them significantly expanding their sound, taking their place among the elite of the Christian pop/punk world, and delivering an ultimately fun and unpredictable rock album that should remain one of 2002's best.
Josh's Score: 4/5
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis June 2002Reviewed by Matt ModrichMinnesota's favorite Tooth and Nail band, Ace Troubleshooter, is back with their second album entitled "The Madness of the Crowds." "Madness" is actually quite different from Ace's self-titled in that it is a hybrid of pop punk and emo. It starts out rocking with the anthemic title track that will definitely get the kids going. Track two "2:00 Your Time" is an emo song that could end up being the…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestHappy power rock, that's how you could describe the music on The Madness Of The Crowds. It's the first opportunity for me to get to know the music from this band so I can't compare it with previous efforts as this is not their debut. There's undoubtedly a lot of positive energy flowing through the music. It was the band Toto that discovered how great it is to sing about girlnames ending with 'a'…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Trae CadenheadAce Troubleshooter entered Christian music at a bad time to impress reviewers. With the market flooded with pop punk albums, the debut from Ace Troubleshooter didn't provide much to get its head above the water. With their sophomore follow up, however, the band seems to be playing music they are more comfortable with and that will inevitably set them apart enough to be noticed. The new sound of…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Bert GanglAfter three indie releases and a self-titled Tooth & Nail debut in 2000, the members of Ace Troubleshooter seem determined to use their back catalog as both a reference point and a springboard for their latest effort. True to much of what has preceded it, the new project, The Madness of the Crowds, once again showcases the Minneapolis foursome's love of all things punk/pop-related. Songs like…Similar sounding releases
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