Algernon Cadwallader: Trying Not To Have A Thought [Album Review]

Algernon Cadwallader
Trying Not To Have A Thought
Saddle Creek Records [2025]

“Fourteen years later, Algernon Cadwallader still sound like they could blow the roof off a basement show.”

Album Overview: Formed in Philadelphia in 2005, Algernon Cadwallader became an unlikely cornerstone of the Midwest emo scene—even though they weren’t from the Midwest. Their debut Some Kind of Cadwallader (2008) and follow-up Parrot Flies (2011) sparked a wave of twinkly guitar bands and cemented their underground status. After splitting in 2012, they shocked fans with a 2022 reunion tour that snowballed into a proper comeback.

Trying Not to Have a Thought is their first album in 14 years and the first with the original lineup—Peter Helmis, Joe Reinhart, Colin Mahony, and Nick Tazza—since their debut. Written during two retreats and recorded mostly at Reinhart’s Headroom Studios, the record doesn’t play like a cautious return. Instead, it’s the natural continuation of a band whose spark never fully died out. The throwback emo vibe is here, but it’s polished by years of growth, giving every track a fresh glow. You can feel the energy of four friends lighting the fire again.

Musical Style: The band’s signature guitar tangle remains front and center—bright, interlocking riffs threading around nimble bass runs and brisk drumming. Algernon still thrives on math-y interplay, but now it’s more relaxed, flowing easily between bursts of high energy and moments of reflection. It’s intricate without being fussy, melodic without losing bite.

Evolution of Sound: In their early years, Algernon favored cryptic lyrics and chaotic surges of sound. This time, the writing is sharper, and the arrangements feel more open and confident. They haven’t abandoned their jangly webs or sudden dynamic shifts, but the chaos has matured into something more deliberate. It’s less about chasing a scene and more about trusting long-built chemistry.

Artists with Similar Fire: If you’re into the intricate guitars of American Football, the adventurous unpredictability of Cap’n Jazz, or the indie-rock grit of Pavement, The Get Up Kids, and Joan of Arc, you’ll find plenty to turn up here. Algernon still connect the dots between classic emo intensity and indie rock charm.

Pivotal Tracks: “Hawk” sets the tone with a moving meditation on loss, grounding the album in personal reflection. “Revelation 420” and “Million Dollars” throw sharper punches, channeling frustration with social and economic realities. “Attn MOVE” digs into Philadelphia’s tragic 1985 bombing of Black activists, reminding listeners that this isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a record rooted in place, politics, and awareness. “What’s Mine” pushes Helmis into some of his most adventurous vocal turns, moving from murmurs to long notes to yelps, giving the song a raw emotional edge. Meanwhile, “You’ve Always Been Here” is a showcase for Reinhart and Mahony’s intricate guitar interplay, their lines stacking until it sounds like twice as many players in the room—a clear sign of how much the band has grown without losing their spark.

Lyrical Strength: Peter Helmis has shifted from the oblique poetry of Algernon’s early days to more direct observations about grief, survival, and the absurdity of modern life. He balances humor, anger, and tenderness, capturing the pull between personal growth and public crisis. His delivery keeps the words playful, but the weight behind them lingers long after the guitars fade.

Final Groove: Trying Not to Have a Thought isn’t just a reunion album—it’s proof that Algernon Cadwallader never lost their fire. Fourteen years away only sharpened their sense of purpose. The guitars still twinkle, the rhythms still sprint, and the songs still feel like they could ignite a basement show at any moment. But now there’s perspective and depth alongside the rush. It’s a comeback that plays like a renewal and a reminder that Algernon still have plenty to say—and plenty of matches left to burn.

ALGERNON CADWALLADER LINKS
Website | Instagram | Bandcamp | Saddle Creek Records