I am disappointed in the reviews that give a low rating on an album because of its slower pace. I have not listened to this band's previous album, of which I've heard has a quicker, heavier tempo, but I am throughly enjoying Bone Palace Ballet. I consider it a maturing piece of work which is one of the few that stands out in this genre of music. There are few albums I pay attention to that fall under the category of emo-rock, post-hardcore, screamo...however you'd like to describe it.

I would say that the trademarks of this album are the screams and the piano which come up here-and-there amongst the rock music. You will even hear violins pop up. What I feel is catchy about this album is the fact that Chiodos will go from heavy rock to lilting piano is seconds flat, and I'm not jarred by it. The transition actually feels smooth and natural. Even though the songs do not have much variation between them, the cd plays like a 40 min. long adventure with rock and piano, reminding me of X-Japan's "Art of Life" (A 29 min. song that is thoroughly enjoyable).

I give my review based on the talent that the band shows, and not on a biased personal taste, though I feel this album is quickly growing on me. =)