Reviews: Chamberlain - Exit 263
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Embrace (http://www.icestormcity.com/ircsax/embrace)
Chamberlain were good, or at least, that's what I read about them, and make no mistake cos some of them happened to be the heroes for the punk rock scene in the early 90's whose history lies with some EMO band called Split Lip.
By the way, "Exit 263" is a killer chunk of American Country/Rock riffage, that melts into additional talents solo spot of the piano, squeeze box and harmonica which is refreshingly brief of throwing in a lick of "The Last Time". It works well, the sound characterised by a great and passionate singer, nonetheless. "Steady Tryin' To Holler" slides a touch of the blues at the beginning. While I was dreading the quick solo in "You Can't Have It All", they pull off a chorus that won't leave your head for days. and "Lovely And Alone" is just a great song with great lyrics, period.
However, I won't recommend this to those who still lives in a land where brutality, violence and heavy music as their main soundtrack of their boring days. "Exit 263" is ONLY for the lovely young gentleman in one afternoon, over tea and biscuits seeking for lost inspiration, or a miracle to happened.
Source Lost In Site Update
Chamberlain surpass remarks like 'there's been a lot of speculation surrounding this release" or 'this is one of the most anticipated albums of the year" considering regardless of how much they 'change' or 'surprise' they always command the utmost interest from the majority of the alternative scene. This is their final album. Check out the awesome vocals and guitar mastery of these guys.
Carlos Iglesias at Iron Skies (http://www.ironskies.com)
It is peculiar the way that [fans] have followed Adam Rubenstein and David Moore since they formed Split Lip, which by the principles of the 1990s was one of the pillars of post-hardcore. For years, the name Chamberlain has deepened in the roots of American rock. That is not surprising either coming from where it comes...Nashville (IN). Exit 263 follows in the wake of its predecessor, The Moon My Saddle, but with a greater rawness of sound. The melancholy of its music is transformed moment by moment into heartrending sadness, with lost goodbyes and loves or the sensuality of "Masterpiece." With this last disc, they have looked to create their most personal work to date, recording most of the material on four tracks and concentrating themselves on the essence of the songs. And, it never ceases to be peculiar that Chamberlain still are related to the American emo scene considering that the music is nearer Bob Dylan, the Wallflowers, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. Although if the relationship [to these artists] is by emotions, that is totally right... few bands transmit emotions like Chamberlain.
Mark Griffiths at Kerrang! Magazine
'surprisingly laid-back return from emo godfathers..." AH, RIGHT. I see what's happened here. Some wag has slipped a Bruce Springsteen album into the CD sleeve for a chuckle. That's the only explanation for Chamberlain, the progenitors of post-hardcore squall and passion back in the early "90s, descending into countrified blue-collar rock on this, the follow-up to 1998's impressive The Moon My Saddle. It's quite a shock to hear the harmonica being brandished in such cavalier fashion by such a lauded and influential outfit as it is here. And, the chilled vibe is likely to split the fan base straight down the middle. Exit 263 still boasts awesome songs, and you can almost smell cheap bourbon and cigarette smoke wafting from the speakers on "Wherever I Lay My Head" and 'santa Fe." But, if it's thrills and energy you"re after, then stick with their debut masterpiece, Fate's Got a Driver.
Manu at Melodick (http://www.melodick.fr.st)
People who know Chamberlain as a reference of the emocore or post-hardcore scene will be surprised in listening to this new album! Indeed, Exit 263 could really have been in Bruce Springsteen's discography!!! In the pure country-pop/rock American tradition, this record isn't at all a bad surprise. On the contrary, from the first track, Lovely and Alone, the music sounds good and true. Throughout the album, the songwriting proves a real gift. So, another public will come to Chamberlain. Exit 263 is a good country rock record which is under influences, we think, of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. But, after all, it's important that a young generation could make these kinds of songs...songs which can live forever.
Mirko Glaser at 11pm (http://www.11pm.de)
There are people who complain about hardcore bands who don't advance themselves, but Chamberlain are at least taking career points like a decathlete takes the hurdles. And, they"re also not puffed to pitch their chords on the acoustic guitar. First point: Exit 263 has little to do with Chamberlain [Split Lip] from 1994. So, the exit metaphor can be taken literally. The new album, in America distributed by the band and in Europe available from Ignition Records, shines in a new light. Chamberlain perform country and rock music in their rough, original form, without falling into a void of irrelevance. This has a good deal to do with David Moore's voice, which makes the sound distinctive. And, last but not least, with Adam Rubenstein, who, with David, co-wrote the songs and also proved his songwriting talent on his debut album on Doghouse Records. It doesn't matter how much Chamberlain is driving their musical zig-zag course or confusing their fans. They can be happy that the fans are still faithfully with the band, which was demonstrated by the tribute included in the CD booklet (which gives a "leaving" from punk rock in detail). Deep inside, in Chamberlain, the spirit lives on. Outside Bruce Springsteen and the Wallflowers are ruling. But, I bet, there are many fans from the beginning who celebrate the changings, especially with [songs like] 'that Was the Best" and 'santa Fe." Gorgeous songs can be found on this new album.
No Front Teeth (http://www.nofrontteeth.com)
Chamberlain started their life some years back as a hardcore band that has now developed into a more country sound. The cool thing about this band and this release is that you can kind of tell that they used to be a hardcore band, through their delivery style and their lyrics. I like that a lot because it's like listening to hardcore but in a really altered way. Sometimes, it's nice to calm things down a little! I mean, "I guess Fate's always just; she's just not always fair." Is a fantastic lyric that could so easily be a hardcore or a country lyric. Even the front cover could fit in either category. I love country music and I love hardcore and punk, so this is a fantastic release for someone in my position. Many hardcore fans would probably think this is the type of thing that their parents would listen to... but, they should listen closer. Tracks like "Hey, Louise," "Masterpiece," "Lovely and Alone," 'santa Fe," 'that Was the Best," and 'steady Tryin" to Holler" are all terrific! This is a great release that should be heard by all hardcore fans and not judged immediately the first time it is heard. Give it a few listens and you"ll understand.
Enough Fanzine (http://www.enoughfanzine.com)
Chamberlain has come quite a long way since their first appearance (being still named Split Lip). I guess most of you, interested in emotional rock, know them by now anyway. So you'll probably agree, that they always managed to find their place in music, creating an unique sound, and so do they on on their highly anticipated album "Exit 263". Having moved away from their Hardcore roots during their existance, "Exit 263" marks the perfect end of their carrier, as it's Chamberlain's last release. On this 12 track album, Chamberlain strip down their music to the roots, always being present in their music before. Just like their previous release 'the moon my saddle" this CD fits more in the Country/ Rock genre,if it has to fit in anywhere at all. But Chamberlain are not about rocking out, with their songs being more on the quiet and sometimes sad side of life. Mellow and perfectly arranged songs, sometimes accombined by piano or harmonica. Some of the tracks were recorded just on 4 tracks, showing once again what Chamberlain were all about: Songs played by the heart. So if you always were made to think it's uncool to listen to Bruce Springsteen, but liked his songs anyway - here's your alternative, which will also save you from being hated by your fellow HC kids! What a deal, isn't it!?
Elemae Vocalist Craig Crinnelli
What more can be said about the posthumous release for one of alternative rock's most chameleonic bands? I"ve read/heard a bunch of reviews, both positive and negative, on Chamberlain's Exit 263 already, as this release came out in the USA on its own label (which I purchased) a good deal earlier. Thankfully, this European release has seemingly already begun its awareness in the UK on Ignition. I do feel a bit late to the punch in writing this, and a bid jaded to the group, I must say, so I will try and keep this synopsis to my main concerns, since I don't feel all that objective about it. I honestly feel I do have a valid opinion on a few things that must be said, so here's less of a review but more of an opinion from a longtime adoring fan. Having stuck right by the group through its many reincarnations (hardcore/emo/Americana rock/alt-country?), what a strange trip it has been to be a Chamberlain fan! On a personal level, I feel the greatest connection was made during the time period of Chamberlain's two best albums on Doghouse Records, the gripping Fate's Got a Driver and the jaw-dropping The Moon My Saddle. Between those two albums, you could almost guarantee this band was destined to succeed. Not completely sure where the seams started ripping for the group, in steering them to their demise (members being replaced one-by-one, management and label wrangling with one another), but at least, we were fortunate enough to find one more album's worth of material to be offered by the group. In all fairness, Exit 263 is a good album. It's not a great album, as they had set themselves high standards both recording/production-wise, as well as in the songwriting department with their catalog of material. I would have to note there are a few diamonds in the rough on this release, as found in "Hey, Louise," 'santa Fe," "Wherever I"m Standing Now," and the aptly titled "Masterpiece." Just wish the gems were polished a little bit more. You know what though? This disc doesn't sound half bad for the style they were constantly steering towards (alt-country), and almost found its comfort alongside their old traditional dust-n-boot stomping sound. You almost get the feeling you were right there recording with them on a 16-track in their rehearsal room or at least at the local bar dive watching one of the local-boys-done-good homecoming shows. Was that the intention? I"m not so sure, but there's no turning back now, so I'll stick with that story.
Scanner (#12)
Too mellow!! Now, it has to be said (as I did above) that this is a special band, no doubts there. This is the band's final album which has thankfully seen the light of day via the great folks at Ignition Records. Yeah, its good... those vocals are still stunningly rich, the arrangements close to perfection, but I found this really too mellow. When it's good (such as 'that was the best") it's fantastic, other times it is too sombre to really work it's way into my head. It's actually very Bruce Springsteen like, if mixed with GREEN ON RED or something. This will be receiving a lot of play here, particularly on those hungover Sunday mornings where you need something to slowly get your day going. Maybe it"ll grow on me... I hope so!
Poison Free (http://www.poisonfree.com)
I guess there is no need to lose a word about the history of this band that started out in the hardcore scene as split lip and that kept evolving to what became chamberlain.
So this is the european version of their final release and it equally captures the incredible look, feel and sound of the band's last and most personal musical account and combines it with a fine 12 page booklet.- lyrics included, of course. with this album they have looked to create a very personal work, recording most of the material on four tracks and concentrating themselves on the essence of the songs. the result is what is loosely termed as country / rock music in their rough, original form, without falling into a void of irrelevance. this has a good deal to do with david moore's crooning voice which makes the sound so distinctive. and the balance he strikes between melody and lyrics is tremendous... beyond words. the melodies are near perfect and the words... you"ll find them hard to remove their echoes from your head days after. i"m listening to this record for the second week in a row now and it still makes me feel good... in a way. there is no song i like the most for they are all on a very high quality level. so exit 263 is a fine country rock record which is under influences of bob dylan or bruce springsteen and includes even such influences as blues or emo. i guess the name chamberlain stands for itself. no further explanation needed.... and at last, it comes from nashville... as if this didn't say it all, eh. ;)
no more 'sweet et cetera"....
Punk News (http://www.punknews.org)
The thing you've probably heard about Chamberlain is that 'they aren't even a punk band! It's sounds like Bruce Springsteen!" which is absolutely true, and considering that I'm quite partial to pre-Born In The USA Springsteen I'm pretty comfortable with that fact! Yeah they started out as a hardcore band called Split Lip, yep, they changed their sound, released The Moon My Saddle, and got completely slated for their efforts by the usual "it's melodic, fuck that shit!" crowd, well guess what? Some bands learn to play their instruments, and progress, and some peoples musical taste changes too, anyway, I'm talking shit here, so I digress. It's musically a continuation from The Moon My Saddle, and while I haven't really played it enough times to decide whether I prefer it to that record, it's still really enjoyable and I'll happily continue to play both in the future. If you have a musically open mind you really should check this out!
A Short Fanzine About Rocking (#4)
I seem to remember Chamberlain being a decent enough hardcore band back in the mid 90's. Well this is almost completely unrecognisable as being the work of the same band. Instead "Exit 263" is an alt-country styleee album and as such it's pretty difficult for me to review it subjectively not being the most knowledgeable of country fans. What I will say though is that the songs all seem vet well written and David Moores" singing is evidently soulful. To these untrained ears though, none of the songs really stands out as being brilliant in any way. As such this is a well crafted if uninspiring collection. Still, what do I know anyway?!
Ingo at Fastclick
Rating: 8/10 | "Emo goes Country" could be the best headline for this latest record of CHAMBERLAIN... This former Emo(core) band surprises their fans with a pure Country Rock album !! The tremendous voice of singer David Moore portrays the main theme and highlight of the whole album. He can surely compete with such superstars like Joe Cocker or 'the Boss" Bruce Springsteen !! Along with a perfect songwriting abilities, a very laid-back atmosphere and with the musical fraction reduced to a minimum, this is an album for the more quiet and peaceful moments in life... Maybe open minded HC kids or Metalheads can find an open ear for CHAMBERLAIN...
Personally I enjoyed listening to the recording !!! This CD could be considered as a final stroke of the CHAMBERLAIN history cause this recording is definitely their last one since they started as SPLIT LIP many years ago...R.I.P. Favourite Song: Hey Louise
Voice Of Reason
Is it a shame not having heard Chamberlain before this album? I think many of you will yell 'sure!", but I have to admit that this is in fact the first Chamberlain album I know. Of course I knew their history before, having emerged from the legendary Split Lip and developing into a "country" direction over the years, but "Exit 263" is the first album from Chamberlain that made it into my CD player. But I don't think it will be the last one, because I like it very much. Even though this album was already released in 2001 I received it just lately, so here's a review. I heard that this is supposedly their last album, but I hope that's not true. "Exit 263" was partly recorded in a "real" studio, while some of the songs were recorded in "an old log cabin deep in the woods of Brown County, Indiana" on a 4-track. But don't expect a crappy sounding album, instead the sound is very intimate and warm. Chamberlain play on this album some kind of country/rock/blues, and the info recommends this album for fans of Jets to Brazil, Bruce Spingsteen and Bob Dylan (among others). Now don't be close minded and check this record out. I'm not much into country music myself, but "Exit 263" contains simply beautiful music and ends with the fantastic "Masterpiece". Well, the title says it all.
Popkid
Chamberlain surpass remarks like 'there's been a lot of speculation surrounding this release" or 'this is one of the most anticipated albums of the year" considering regardless of how much they "change" or 'surprise" they always command the utmost interest from the majority of the alternative scene. This is their final album. Check out the awesome vocals and guitar mastery of these guys.
Invisible Youth (http://www.invisibleyouth.com)
When I first saw Chamberlain my friends convinced me to go to the show by letting me hear Split Lip records. For those who don't know, Split Lip changed their name to Chamberlain and, unbeknown to my friends, also took a turn from old school hardcore towards John Cougar Mellencamp style country rock. At the time I was understandably disappointed (also because Boy Sets Fire didn't show up), but now many years later I am actually really into Chamberlain. Being a huge fan of the Hoosier country rock style, these songs aren't amazing groundbreaking jams, yet they do a great job of capturing the emotion of this sound. Their punk/hardcore background gives them a unique sensibility to the style too, making the songs not overtly punk, but with a certain presence. This collection of previously unreleased material should convince any fans of this type of music to look into acquiring their previous albums.
