Idiot Pilot has come a long way since I received the independently released version of Strange We Should Meet Here in a hand-addressed envelope (the one not designed by Asterik Studio). But, have they come as far as their newfound press would claim? With special guest Carrie Hempfer, their new album, Wolves, will be put through the wringer in order to find out.

Randy : Round One
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As hefty as their first release was, my initial feelings upon hearing Wolves was that it had become another earmark on a long list of bands who squeeze out an overproduced, undercut sophomore album after signing to a major label. Upon listening to it over and over — as the first three tracks were becoming a fungal growth on the Top-100-lovin' side of my brain — I've come to realize that I might've made a premature assumption. I still think it lacks a good amount of the grit found on their debut but, it's not erased completely. Idiot Pilot still regains my confidence with their awkward transitions from ambient soundtrack beats to throat-burning screams. A well-balanced blend of these two genres keeps the album (and the band) feeling new and not bogged down by being an "electronic" band or a "hardcore" band or a "post-hardcore" band or even an "avant-electro-rock" band. Although preferring Strange We Should Meet Here — Wolves does leave me wanting more.

Carrie : Round One
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Wolves is as well-balanced as a two year old laying in the middle of a grocery store aisle. The album begins tame, a bit poppy, then moves into a state of melodramatic pleading with Cruel World Enterprise. If this song doesn't receive your desired attention, the screaming that ensues — beginning with Red Museum and full-blown in Planted in the Dark — certainly will. Yes, the intention behind this album to take you on an emotional journey through the fusing of several genres of music is attained, but listening to it is almost as tolerable as the above mentioned child I step around to grab my Raisin Bran. To me, Strange We Should Meet Here proves to be much more balanced not only in it's entirety but within each track. At every interval, melodic singing is met head on by bouts of screaming. That harmony creates an accessibility that Wolves only claims to have.

Randy : Round Two
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The overall tone of Cruel World Enterprise may seem a little ballad-esque but, with the lyric "We will concentrate on ruining your face." I think the song may have a bit more depth than "melodramatic pleading" — as do most of the songs. If you start at the album's halfway-point, Cruel World Enterprise, and work your way to Planted In The Dark you'll definitely hear an escalation from calm to heavy. But, because the CD is capped by the real ballad of the album, Recurring Dream, rather than Planted In The Dark it leaves Wolves feeling unbalanced. This album's harmony works more in sections rather than as a whole — something that Strange We Should Meet Here didn't struggle with at all. Every track contains a unique interplay of genres which I find intriguing and well-rounded. However, some tracks lose their connection to the rest. I almost want to reorder the album to see if I can make the puzzle pieces fit.

Carrie : Round Two
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Perhaps reordering the tracks would be beneficial to the flow of the album. Maybe that would even help with the fact that I cannot distinguish the first 5 tracks from each other; they all seem to blur together to create a long-winded pop epic. Mainly this is because there are not enough twists and surprises there to grab and hold my attention. When you get to the second half of the album you are hit over the head repeatedly with surprises. So much so that it becomes too much to handle. When Whalereviews asked me to pick my favorite song I did narrow it down to the first half — out of contempt for the rest of the album — but then struggled to call one out in particular. After many repeat listenings, I finally decided on Retina and the Sky for it's slightly less mainstream pop feel. Or, maybe it simply bothers me the least.

Windup
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Well, there you have it. One thing that seems clear is that we both enjoy Idiot Pilot's first album more than their latest. When you get down to the details, however, it's a little blurry. There are things on this album that do need improvement. But, unless they feel like spending the money to re-record, reprint and redistribute Wolves based upon the opinion of two people, we're not likely to see those changes. So, for now you'll have to make due.