The Perfect Crime
Cold Chisel · 2015
58 min · 15 tracks · hard rock
Raw rock energy fuses with poignant storytelling, capturing the essence of life's struggles and triumphs.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Perfect Crime — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's themes of regret and reflection amidst life’s choices, combining sharp lyrics with driving instrumentation.
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All Hell Broke Lucy — This track showcases the band’s ability to blend raw energy with storytelling, depicting chaotic scenarios that resonate with listeners.
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Long Dark Road — An emotive ballad that highlights the band’s softer side, this song captures feelings of loneliness and longing through its haunting melodies and poignant lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic rock with storytelling but lacks a strong cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy rock tracks that maintain a driving tempo, while the second half shifts to more reflective ballads.
- Several tracks incorporate layered guitar harmonies and dynamic shifts in intensity, particularly in the choruses.
- The lyrics often tell personal stories or depict relatable struggles, enhancing the emotional weight of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- gritty emotional storytelling
- late-night bar atmosphere
- reflective moments of nostalgia
- raw vocal intensity
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality after reunion, debuting at number one on ARIA charts.
- Themes
- pub rock resilience· chaotic life moments· loneliness on long roads
- Career context
- By the time 'The Perfect Crime' was released in 2015, Cold Chisel was experiencing a resurgence after reuniting in 2011 for their first tour in over a decade. This album marked their first studio release since 'No Plans' in 2012, showcasing a band reinvigorated and committed to exploring new musical territories while staying true to their roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Angels· Midnight Oil· Hoodoo Gurus
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Alone for You 3:11
- 2 The Backroom 3:35
- 3 All Hell Broke Lucy 4:06
- 4 The Perfect Crime 2:40
- 5 Long Dark Road 4:34
- 6 Four in the Morning 5:22
- 7 The Mansions 3:13
- 8 The Toast of Paris 4:43
- 9 Shoot the Moon 3:30
- 10 Mexican Wedding 3:35
- 11 Get Lucky 3:02
- 12 Bus Station 5:12
- 13 Lost 4:06
- 14 Romantic Lies 3:30
- 15 Blue Flame 4:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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