Point #1 | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 4, 1999 | |||
Studio | Electrical Audio (Chicago, Illinois) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:36 | |||
Label | Squint | |||
Producer | Steve Albini | |||
Chevelle chronology | ||||
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Singles from Point #1 | ||||
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Point #1 is the debut studio album by the American rock band Chevelle, released on May 4, 1999. It is the only Chevelle album released by Squint Entertainment and their only collaboration with producer Steve Albini. The album featured a notable single in its title track but achieved only minor success, especially compared to Chevelle's major label follow-up in 2002.
After recording a demo, Chevelle played small concerts for three years until being signed to Steve Taylor's independent Christian label Squint Entertainment. [2] The band recorded for 17 days at Electrical Audio with producer Steve Albini, famous for his work with the likes of Nirvana, Cheap Trick, and PJ Harvey. According to Chevelle frontman Pete Loeffler, Albini gave their album an unrefined "indie feel" in which the recording process was essentially "plug in, he hits record, and you play." Loeffler added, "At the time I was shocked talking to someone who had worked closely to Kurt Cobain. It was a trip. It was really cool." Point #1 was recorded in standard D with an alternative metal approach. However, the band was left unsatisfied and feeling that he didn't achieve the tones and overall sound they were looking for. They called Albini and, much to his surprise, expressed disappointment with the final product. Although they enjoyed working with him, Chevelle wanted to find a different producer to resolve the issue; however, their label gave them no choice but to work with Albini once again. The second phase of recording was, according to Loeffler, much more laid back and relaxed in which Albini "really opened up." [3]
Largely thanks to Albini's influence, Point #1 is notably less intense than future Chevelle material; however, the album's title track has remained a common part of the band's concert set list. Nevertheless, the band's major label debut, Wonder What's Next , has since been regarded by the band as their "first" album. [4]
Chevelle toured with various alternative metal bands to promote their debut album. This would influence their shift to a heavier sound on future albums.
Albini and an aspiring comedian named Fred Armisen starred in the band's Point #1 EPK (electronic press kit)—several years before Armisen became famous on Saturday Night Live . A year after the album's debut, a single was released in the title track which landed a marginal spot on the Mainstream Rock chart and had an accompanying music video. "Mia" had also been released as a single the year prior. It also had a video.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Cross Rhythms | [5] |
Jesus Freak Hideout | [6] |
Critical reception for Point #1 varied. Heather Phares of AllMusic gave a positive review, noting how Albini helped the band "create forceful, mercurial indie rock" and added "In line with Chicago's ambitious music scene, Chevelle's challenging take on rock is also a rewarding one."
Chevelle received GMA Dove Awards for the more popular song "Mia" in 2000 and "Point #1" in 2001. [7] The album also received an award for "Hard Music Album" in 2000 by the Dove Awards. [8]
Point #1 has earned Chevelle many comparisons to the successful rock band Tool. The music video for "Mia" was, like some of Tool's videos, completely stop motion animated. Additionally, Pete Loeffler's vocals, like those of Maynard James Keenan, range from soft and melodic to brutal and gut-wrenching. "Long", for instance, is notable for Loeffler's climactic twelve-second-long scream.
All lyrics are written by Pete Loeffler; all music is composed by Chevelle
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Open" | 2:01 |
2. | "Point #1" | 4:21 |
3. | "Prove to You" | 3:05 |
4. | "Mia" | 2:21 |
5. | "Skeptic" | 4:06 |
6. | "Anticipation" | 3:08 |
7. | "Dos" | 6:29 |
8. | "Long" | 4:36 |
9. | "Blank Earth" | 5:26 |
10. | "SMA" | 2:55 |
11. | "Peer" | 4:08 |
Total length: | 42:36 |
Chevelle
Production
Roland Stephen Taylor is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, music executive, film maker, assistant professor, and actor. A figure in what has come to be known as Christian alternative rock, Taylor enjoyed a successful solo career during the 1980s, and also served in the short-lived group Chagall Guevara. In contrast to many Christian musical artists, his songs have often taken aim at Christian hypocrisy or "error" with the use of satirical, sardonic lyrics. In 1997, he founded the record label Squint Entertainment, which fueled the careers of artists such as Sixpence None the Richer, Chevelle, and Burlap to Cashmere. Despite this success, Taylor was ousted from the label by its parent, Word Entertainment, in 2001. He has produced and written for numerous musical acts, one of the most consistent being Newsboys. As a film-maker, Taylor co-wrote, directed, and produced the feature films Down Under the Big Top, The Second Chance, and Blue Like Jazz. After a decade and a half of hiatus, Taylor returned to performing music in 2010 as the front-man for Steve Taylor & The Perfect Foil, a supergroup he founded with Peter Furler, Jimmy Abegg, and John Mark Painter. Along with a university residency and continued filmmaking, Taylor would resume work on unfinished Chagall Guevara material into the 2020s.
Chevelle is an American rock band formed in Grayslake, Illinois, in 1995. The band was originally composed of two brothers, Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler, along with Matt Scott. Scott was replaced by Sam and Pete's brother, Joe Loeffler, in 1996. When Joe left the band in 2005, Geno Lenardo subbed in as the touring bassist until he was replaced by Pete and Sam's brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini. Bernardini departed from the band in 2019, and in 2021, Kemble Walters joined the band as a touring bassist.
Wonder What's Next is the second studio album by American rock band Chevelle, released on October 8, 2002 by Epic Records. Spawning the singles "The Red", "Send the Pain Below", and "Closure", it proved to be Chevelle's breakthrough album, landing them high-profile tour slots including the main stage of Ozzfest 2003. Having sold over two million copies in the United States alone, Wonder What's Next remains the band's most successful album.
This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) is the third studio album by American rock band Chevelle. Debuting at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 based on nearly 90,000 copies sold in its first week, it charted higher than its predecessor, Wonder What's Next but did not exceed its debut position. The album did not manage to match its predecessor's commercial success, but was certified platinum. This Type of Thinking follows generally the same heavy style as Wonder What's Next with popular singles like "Vitamin R" and "The Clincher". It would be the first of two records produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette. This was also the final album featuring bassist Joe Loeffler, who departed from the band in 2005.
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"Well Enough Alone" is a song by American rock band Chevelle. It is the first single from the album Vena Sera and was released to radio the week of February 13, 2007. According to lead singer Pete Loeffler, "Well Enough Alone" was an unreleased song that had been recorded prior to the release of their third album This Type of Thinking , before it was refined for Vena Sera.
The American rock band Chevelle has released nine studio albums, two compilation albums, three live albums, two video albums, 28 singles, 19 music videos, and five promotional singles. The band was originally formed in 1995 by two brothers Pete Loeffler and Sam Loeffler, along with Matt Scott. Shortly after forming, Scott was replaced by Sam and Pete's brother, Joe Loeffler in 1996. Joe left the band in 2005 and Geno Lenardo joined as the touring bassist until he was replaced by Pete and Sam's brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini. Bernardini later left the band in 2019.
The 32nd Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 5, 2001 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 2000. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Michael W. Smith.
The 31st Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 20, 2000, recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1999. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford.
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"Letter from a Thief" is a song by American rock band Chevelle. The song serves the second single from the band's album, Sci-Fi Crimes. It was released on December 7, 2009. Chevelle originally debuted this track on April 9, 2009, at a concert in Atlanta. Frontman Pete Loeffler said the song is about a personal experience for the band when their gear was stolen in Dallas, and his prized red PRS guitar seen in the video for "Send the Pain Below" was stolen, along with the rest of the band's gear, and returned by a man in California who returned the guitar to PRS after learning it was Loeffler's.
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