Thousand Foot Krutch

The End Is Where We Begin

TFK is known as everyone’s guilty pleasure. I had some moderate expectations for The End Is Where We Begin, but the first track is titled “The Introduction,” while the last track sports the title “The Outroduction.” Not the most encouraging sign. I confess that I had started to write off this album as I listened to the goofy robot voice come in on “The Introduction.”

However, the first actual song is pretty awesome. “We Are” is a heavy, well-written tune. What follows is a crop of well-written songs that you can tell the band put a lot of effort and care into. I appreciate that a lot. TFK went independent last year, but you’d never know it from the great production on this record. Some of the vocal patterns match the cheesiness of many of the lyrics, such as in the song “Light Up The Sky” (which actually showcases sweet Rage Against The Machine-style riffs and aggression). My impression has always been that TFK’s fanbase rests squarely in the youth group and maybe that explains some of the elements of this album that don’t appeal to someone my age (a jaded, old-fart at the age of 27).

Overall, The End Is Where We Begin continues TFK’s tradition of writing catchy, heavy songs that you can bob your head to and sing-along to without putting in too much thought. Because you can tell TFK cares greatly about their craft and they have a knack for good songwriting coupled with great production, the little style blunders are forgivable. With 9 of the 15 tracks being heavy jams (the ballads are alright and kinda fun), TEIWWB delivers what anybody could’ve reasonably expected. Elitists will ignore this release, youth pastors will eat it up, as will their youth groups, which leaves the rest of us to just enjoy it, because we knew what to expect.