La Gárgola Explained

La Gárgola
Type:studio
Artist:Chevelle
Cover:Chevelle_La_Gárgola_album_cover.jpg
Recorded:2013–2014
Studio:Pasadena, California
Length:48:29
Label:Epic
Producer:Joe Barresi
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:The North Corridor
Next Year:2016

La Gárgola (Spanish for "The Gargoyle") is the seventh studio album by American rock band Chevelle. It was released on April 1, 2014 in the US and on June 9, 2014 in the UK.

The album cover depicts vocalist Pete Loeffler wearing a plague doctor mask. Joe Barresi, who produced the band's previous studio album, Hats Off to the Bull, returned as the producer for this album. In August 2019, and with the collaboration of Revolution Brewing, Chevelle announced the release of their Helles Lager beer, named after the album and featuring the same illustration as the cover art.

Release

"Take Out the Gunman" was released as the lead single for the album on February 4, 2014.[1] It topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. "Hunter Eats Hunter" was released as the second single on June 24, 2014.[2] "An Island" was released as the third single on November 19, 2014. The band had plans to release "One Ocean" as the third single.[3] However, "An Island" was ultimately released as the third and final single for the album.[4] The album cover depicts vocalist Pete Loeffler wearing a plague doctor mask.[3] The album was released on April 1, 2014 in the US[1] [3] [5] and on June 9, 2014 in the UK.[6]

In August 2019, and with the collaboration of Revolution Brewing, Chevelle announced the release of their Helles Lager beer, named after the album and featuring the same illustration as the cover art.[7] [8]

Composition

La Gárgola has been described as hard rock[9] [10] [11] alternative metal,[12] heavy metal,[11] and progressive metal.[13] The album has been described as a darker and heavier album for the band.[14] [15]

Reception

Early critical reception to the album has been generally positive and has since gained high acclaim. AllMusic reviewer Gregory Heaney said the band has "found a way to avoid the perils of age and complacency, with the band somehow growing more into its own with each album...the real key to (La Gárgola) lies in open and ambient cuts like album closer "Twinge," where the heaviness is implied with ominous, reverb-drenched guitars and mysterious, almost mantra-like vocal repetition, creating a subtle tension that just can't be accomplished by distorted, in-your-face guitars."[5] Loudwire noted that the experimentation is noticed in the album and comments about the band thinking outside the box. They go on to state "All in all, fans have come to know what to expect from Chevelle and the band definitely deliver on many of the signature sounds they've generated over the years." Loudwire would also go on to rank La Gargola No. 2 on their "Best Rock Albums of 2014" and No. 42 on their "66 Best Rock Albums of the Decade: 2010-2019".[16] [17]

Greg Fisher of Sputnikmusic stated "Deriving its title from a grotesquely carved figure, La Gárgola is by far the trio's darkest release, and the darkness suits them."[15] Michael Rancic of Exclaim! was less positive stating "Inventiveness and originality aren't in Chevelle's playbook, which should surprise no one, but it still makes it difficult to want to come back to this rather front-loaded album for repeat listens."

La Gargola debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 44,900 copies in the first week and becoming the band's highest charting album.[18] The album has sold 153,000 copies in the United States as of July 2016.[19]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Pete Loeffler, all music composed by Pete Loeffler, Sam Loeffler, and Dean Bernardini.

Personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)Position
US Billboard 200[20] 196
US Billboard Alternative Albums [21] 30
US Billboard Hard Rock Albums[22] 12
US Billboard Rock Albums[23] 45

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chevelle Returns In April With 'La Gárgola'. Blabbermouth.net. February 4, 2014. February 7, 2014.
  2. Web site: Rock Future Releases. All Access Music Group. https://web.archive.org/web/20140727064001/http://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases. July 27, 2014. dead.
  3. Gary. Graff. Chevelle Announces Summer Tour (Exclusive). Billboard. May 5, 2014. December 28, 2021.
  4. Chevelle Chart History. Billboard. March 22, 2019.
  5. Web site: Gregory. Heaney. La Gárgola Chevelle. AllMusic. December 28, 2021.
  6. Web site: Iain. Purdie. Band of the Day: Chevelle. April 22, 2014. April 22, 2013.
  7. Web site: Greg. Kennelty. Chevelle Have Their Own Beer Now Called La Gargola. Metal Injection. July 24, 2019. July 18, 2022.
  8. Web site: Chris. Krovatin. Inside Chevelle's New Craft Beer With Revolution Brewing. Kerrang!. August 1, 2019. July 18, 2022.
  9. Web site: Barkan. Jonathan. [Best & Worst '14] Jonny's Top 15 Albums Of 2014]. Bloody Disgusting. December 26, 2014. 2. February 6, 2023.
  10. Web site: Ashley. Hawkins. Chevelle: 'La Gárgola' Album Review. Neon Tommy. April 3, 2014. April 3, 2014.
  11. Web site: Chevelle: 'La Gárgola' Album Review. Khaleej Times. April 3, 2014. July 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20211224014055/https://www.pressreader.com/uae/city-times/20140609/281595238594611. December 24, 2021. dead.
  12. Web site: Chris. Colgan. New & Noteworthy, April 1st: One more for the road. Metal Insider. April 1, 2014. April 5, 2014.
  13. Web site: Keevil. David. Chevelle: La Gárgola. Louder Sound. July 2, 2014. October 15, 2023.
  14. Web site: Sylvie. Lesas. Chevelle La Gárgola Album Review. Evigshed Magazine. April 1, 2014. December 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074104/http://evigshed.com/chevelle-la-gargola-album-review/. March 4, 2016. dead.
  15. Web site: Greg. Fisher. Review: Chevelle - La Gargola. Sputnikmusic. April 13, 2014. December 28, 2021.
  16. Web site: 20 Best Rock Albums of 2014. Loudwire. December 15, 2014. December 23, 2022.
  17. Web site: Graham. Hartmann. Stone Sour's 'House of Gold & Bones - Pt. 1' Is the Rock Album of the Decade. Loudwire. December 13, 2019. January 11, 2021.
  18. Chevelle La Gargola Chart Position. Billboard. April 11, 2014. April 25, 2014.
  19. Web site: Upcoming Releases. Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. July 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20160702201349/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases. July 2, 2016.
  20. Top Billboard 200 Albums - Year End. Billboard. February 1, 2015.
  21. Alternative Albums: 2014 Year-End Charts. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. January 16, 2015.
  22. 2014 Year End Charts - Hard Rock Albums. Billboard. December 9, 2014.
  23. 2014 Year End Charts - Top Rock Albums. Billboard. December 9, 2014.