Chatterbox is a new band, but check a little closer - a few of the contributors are anything but rookies. Jeff Bellew is the most obvious - the former Crucified bassist gets partial or whole songwriting credits on each of the album's original cuts. The producer is another recognizable name: Scott Albert of Circle of Dust, and a bit of guessing should net listeners with the identity of percussionist and one song vocalist King James Salomon.
It's accurate to describe Chatterbox as a more modern-sounding Crucified, though that's certainly not saying The Crucified needed a facelift. While the processed vocals and heavy percussion might initially lean the band toward an industrial tag, Despite is void of the sampling overload that a Brainchild-era Circle of Dust or Generation employ to create their version of sonic chaos. "Spine," "Divide" and "Epignosis" obviously have their roots in traditional hardcore, and could easily be Crucified songs in disguise. In other tracks, such as "Empty," Bellew and company build upon a single guitar lick and take a more traditional songwriting approach that works partially from Albert's powerful production.
The lyrical similarity between Chatterbox and The Crucified is also notable - again, it's nothing to be ashamed of, The Crucified's mature understanding of speaking the truth in love is far too rare in this industry. "Torque" and "Empty" both address how people all search for meaning, and are far too eager to latch onto something that seems worthy, rather than He Who is worthy. "Soulscum" looks further inward, identifying the trappings of convincing yourself that you can do it alone, and how to start over ("Cleanse yourself of yourself"). "Fallen" is where the album's title is derived, and the reminder of the joy of God's mercy and unconditional love through our struggles. "Despite our weakness/Despite our doubts/Despite our failings/Despite our sin/Forgiveness waits/With arms outstretched/Return to Him."
The songs, including the album's closer, a Chatterbox version of "You are my sunshine/My only sunshine," emit a hope of a love that somehow conquers all. Chatterbox is certainly not the bratty little know-it-all that is normally associated with its name. Instead of the urge to slap him/her silly, this group deserves all the talk time it can get. Chatter on.