Album Review: Lindsay Schoolcraft - 'Harrowing'

 

Lindsay Schoolcraft returns with the exceptional Harrowing, an album that elevates her sound to an even grander hard rock crossover level without losing any of the charm and goth eccentricity or darker musings the ex-Cradle Of Filth and Mary and the Black Lamb multi-instrumentalist is known for. Lindsay is co-producer of the album, bass, harp, lyricist and more, and proves she should never be underestimated.

The closest and easy comparisons to the direction of this album would be a more Nu Metal tinged Within Temptation or a more consistently rocking Evanescence, but while those majestic bands certainly have made major statements and are powerful and grandiose, Schoolcraft's three years spent on this material and her deep roots to the underground have allowed these seven songs to really blossom into dark flowers of poppy perspective with rewarding moments galore.

There is no filler here, every song honed to its' best final state. The patient piano intro of "Cut Your Teeth" pairs very well with the vocal tale Schoolcraft sings as she lays out ,"Did you really think I'd forget, after all of these years? While you run your mouth, I'll meet you there."

The medieval sounding opening of "Mercy Has Come" will bring a grin and a make your arm hairs stand up as the song gets decidedly more chamber meets Nu metal, sure to get the blood pumping for fans of Orgy, Placebo or Kittie. Just as things build up to a cresting wave, Linsday magically pulls things down to a controlled shimmer before delivering a crystalline chorus about delivering her own freedom that then busts into an almost Gregorian sounding hard metal meets almost Alan Parsons -esque brilliant intro section to the standout track "Crucified" that could go toe to toe with In This Moment for arena ambition and general bad ass dynamics. 

Sometimes in entertainment you find a product that nails the ideal balance between ingredients and sub-genres to create a more powerful whole. Think how From Beyond as a film is a killer simmer of camp, cosmic horror and mad scientist elements for a super rewarding horror movie that just lets itself be. Similarly, this album knows just what it is going for and delivers the goods with stunning power, self-awareness, digestible hooks and a vibrant heartbeat of more enviable talent and sophistication that ties it all together while keeping it an emotional comfort and thrill ride. People are going to LOVE this sonic world and set of motivating moods.

Spencer Creaghan did a terrific job on this record with some of the orchestral arrangements. All the credits can be found on the Bandcamp link above and all of her co writers and collaborators worked together to deliver an electric and just right experience that is maximum impact and doesn't overstay welcomes while leaving you awash in melody and wanting more! It is as catchy as the underrated Lacuna Coil Shallow Life record, but delivered with more conviction than that more commercial foray.

"I Will Wait For You To Fall" has a gigantic trip hop meets industrial hard rock beat and swing that calls to mind Filter or some great 90's/late 00's radio rock, dominated by the very catchy hooks and compelling orchestral elements.  

Some fans are belligerent about anything that is recorded cleaner, has more accessible parts or a range of emotion or vulnerability. This album is such a terrific example of leaving that outlook in the dust and not letting yourself be sacrificed to anyone's limitations and "righteous high" or ever shifting rules, wink wink. 

This is one you are gonna wanna play loudly all Summer and then will be even more comfort into the Fall. "So Alive" has a Korn-creepy crawl vibe that Schoolcraft and Krista Shipperbottom shine at transforming into one of the more rewarding rock anthems of liberation in recent memory. 

"Now I'm more alive than I was when I met you/ your worst fear came to life/I am not defined by you."