Review
'Watch Out!' ripped up the rulebook on what Alexisonfire could be, trading in some of their raw throat-shredding brutality for something more sinister and calculated. Released in 2004, this sophomore effort bleeds with melodic ambition while still keeping one foot firmly planted in the aggressive post-hardcore soil that spawned them. The band's partnership with Julius Butty in his home studio created this beautiful monster - a self-produced statement that feels both intimate and explosive. Cuts like 'Accidents' and 'Side Walk When She Walks' hit like emotional grenades, where atmospheric textures collide with serrated guitar work in ways that would make ambient rock enthusiasts nod in reluctant approval.
This record single-handedly catapulted these Canadian firebrands into the mainstream consciousness, crashing the Canadian Albums Chart at number 6 and eventually earning that coveted Platinum status. What's truly revolutionary about 'Watch Out!' is how it refuses to sacrifice complexity for accessibility - instead, it demands both from its listeners. The evolution displayed across these tracks laid the groundwork for everything Alexisonfire would become, proving that post-hardcore could be both technically impressive and emotionally devastating without falling into tired genre tropes. It's the sound of a band refusing to be pigeonholed while simultaneously defining exactly who they are. - Blaze
