23. At The Drive-In "In/Casino/Out" (1998)

What it is: post-hardcore/indie rock
Favorite track: Napoleon Solo

It seems At The Drive-In improved with every release they put out. However, In/Casino/Out is the point in their career where they really got good at what they did. In/Casino/Out is their second full-length album, but fifth release in total (if my memory serves me well).

It took a while for me to get into In/Casino/Out. I was kind of dissapointed the first time I heard it. I was put off by the somewhat slower, more laid back sound. I could enjoy Alpha Centauri and Chanbara because they sounded more like the At The Drive-In I was used to, but I didn't really enjoy the rest of the album. Then I began to enjoy Napoleon Solo, and this led to me being more comfortable with the sound. After that, the next growers were Lopsided and Hourglass. Now, I can appreciate the album as a whole.

In/Casino/Out is a softer, slower album on average than Relationship Of Command, but surpasses it terms of emotion (on average yet again). Napoleon Solo definitely ranks up there with Invalid Litter Dept from ROC as some of the most intense stuff they've ever done. Cedric Bixler-Zavala absolutely pours his soul into this, and other songs on this album.

As usual, you will find the unorthodox guitar and cryptic lyrics ATDI is known for here.

In/Casino/Out is an awesome album, and for those who think that At The Drive-In's only good album is Relationship Of Command, you're very wrong. In/Casino/Out is very much worth the listen, and you may be scratching your head on whether it's better than Relationship Of Command. I still like ROC better, but In/Casino/Out puts up quite a fight.