Hats Off to the Bull

Pete Loeffler, when talking about the album in an interview with Artistdirect, cited his difficulty when writing saying he read a lot of books and went on to cite Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins as an example of getting away from music when hitting a wall, quoted saying "I'm constantly rewriting them and trying not to rhyme too much." He also stated that the song "Clones" touches on the criticism that the band sounds too much like the band Tool, but going on to say it's about "getting shit from peers and people saying that you're ripping somebody else off" and that the song goes back to his youth as well as one other track.{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/chevelle-talks-hats-off-to-the-bull-storytelling-star-trek-and-more/9833142|title=Chevelle Talks "Hats Off to the Bull", Storytelling, "Star Trek", and More|work=Artistdirect|date=January 9, 2012|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127141353/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/chevelle-talks-hats-off-to-the-bull-storytelling-star-trek-and-more/9833142|archive-date=January 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}

The band also stated that "Clones" felt like it belonged on Point #1, questioning if it was a negative or positive direction.

In the interview with Artistdirect.com, Pete also said that he and Bernardini were on a "Stanley Kubrick kick", noting The Shining as one of the movies they'd record and watch at the end of the night on the tour bus, but marked that he found a humor to it and that he had also watched all the Star Trek movies back-to-back.

The album's title comes from Pete's disgust at bullfighting.{{cite web|first=Kory|last=Grow|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/exclusive-chevelle-reveal-hats-off-to-the-bull-cover-art.html|title=Chevelle Explain 'Hats Off to the Bull' Cover Art|work=Revolver|date=November 8, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111114954/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/exclusive-chevelle-reveal-hats-off-to-the-bull-cover-art.html|archive-date=November 11, 2011|url-status=dead}} He explains "It's such a heartless sport and it's so torturous for these animals ... We got the idea of rooting for the bull instead. We root for the underdog."

The first single, "Face to the Floor", was released on October 10, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/new-chevelle-cd-coming-before-end-of-year|title=New Chevelle CD Coming Before End Of Year|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=September 27, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2022}} On February 16, 2012, Chevelle made it official that "Hats Off to the Bull" would be the second single this album.{{cite web|first=Liz|last=Ramanand|url=http://loudwire.com/chevelle-hats-off-to-the-bull-song-review/|title=Chevelle, 'Hats Off to the Bull' – Song Review|work=Loudwire|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=July 18, 2022}} On November 29, 2011 Hats Off to the Bull was premiered on Revolver magazine. On November 30, 2011, "Same Old Trip" was premiered on Noisecreep.{{cite web|url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/11/30/chevelle-same-old-trip-song/|title=Chevelle Strike Back Hard on 'Same Old Trip' -- Song Premiere|work=Noisecreep|date=November 30, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2022}} The album was released on December 6, 2011.{{cite web|first=Gregory|last=Heaney|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/hats-off-to-the-bull-mw0002253896|title=Hats Off to the Bull Chevelle|work=Allmusic|access-date=January 16, 2012}}

Hats Off to the Bull has been described as hard rock,{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/chevelle/hats_off_to_the_bull/7987/|title=Hats Off To The Bull review by Chevelle|work=Ultimate Guitar|date=December 6, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2022}}{{cite web|author=Xenophanes|title=Chevelle Hats Off to the Bull|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/46846/Chevelle-Hats-Off-to-the-Bull/|work=Sputnikmusic|date=December 3, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2022}} post-grunge,{{cite web|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/arts/music/rock-in-2011-hot-chelle-rae-foster-the-people-chevelle.html?_r=0|title=The Year When Rock Just Spun Its Wheels|work=The New York Times|date=December 29, 2001|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204758/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/arts/music/rock-in-2011-hot-chelle-rae-foster-the-people-chevelle.html?_r=0|archive-date=June 24, 2021|url-status=live}} alternative rock{{cite web|first=Tuyet|last=Nguyen|url=https://www.avclub.com/chevelle-hats-off-to-the-bull-1798170961|title=Chevelle: Hats Off To The Bull|work=The A.V. Club|date=January 3, 2012|access-date=July 18, 2022}} and progressive rock.{{cite web|last=Kukawinski|first=Phil|publisher=AOL Radio|url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/feature/top-10-rock-songs-of-2012/|title=Top 10 Rock Songs of 2012|access-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230232707/http://www.aolradioblog.com/feature/top-10-rock-songs-of-2012/|archive-date=December 30, 2012|url-status=usurped}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2Score = C−

| rev3 = Loudwire

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Liz|last=Ramanand|url=http://loudwire.com/chevelle-hats-off-to-the-bull-album-review/|title=Chevelle, 'Hats Off to the Bull' – Album Review|work=Loudwire|date=December 8, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2022}}

| rev4 = PopMatters

| rev4Score = 7/10{{cite web|first=Pete|last=Crigler|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/152484-chevelle-hats-off-to-the-bull/|title=Chevelle-Hats Off to the Bull|work=PopMatters|date=January 4, 2012|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320205656/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/152484-chevelle-hats-off-to-the-bull/|archive-date=March 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}

| rev5 = Sputnikmusic

| rev5Score = 3.0/5

| rev6 = Ultimate Guitar

| rev6Score = 7.3/10

}}

Hats Off to the Bull received generally positive reviews from critics. AllMusic reviewer Gregory Heaney said, "Heavy and dramatic, the album is packed full of tightly coiled, muscular riffs, giving the album a controlled feeling more like a slow burn than an explosive, cathartic release."

In About.com's article for their Best Rock Albums of 2011, in which Hats Off to the Bull placed sixth, author Tim Grierson said, "Chevelle have yet to turn into mature, reflective balladeers -- and that's a very good thing. With Hats Off to the Bull, the Chicago trio continue to deliver on-point rockers full of snarling nastiness. Taut and lean, catchy and mean, these 11 tracks expertly deliver their payload in four concise, punishing minutes of superb guitar rock."{{cite web|last=Grierson|first=Tim|url=http://rock.about.com/od/top10lists/tp/2011s-Best-Rock-Albums-So-Far.htm|title=Best Rock Albums of 2011|publisher=About.com|date=January 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116020553/http://rock.about.com/od/top10lists/tp/2011s-Best-Rock-Albums-So-Far.htm|archive-date=January 16, 2012|url-status=dead}}

PopMatters reviewer Pete Crigler said, "On Hats Off to the Bull, Chevelle’s sixth album, they return to their roots with the amazingly heavy first single, "Face to the Floor", which has already become one of their biggest hits. Built on an amazing riff, the song sounds just like Chevelle of 2002, and in this day and age, that's something that's perfectly acceptable to listen to."

Sputnikmusic reviewer Xenophanes said, "Hats Off to the Bull, like all Chevelle records, is truly a solid album if there ever was one. It opens up with the heavy hitter, 'Face to the Floor', and largely keeps the energy flowing from there. Chevelle's sixth proper full-length is a well-produced and overall very enjoyable rock album. However, the band is starting to show age in their formula, making Hats Off to the Bull feel like it's been down a very, very well-traveled path."

{{Track listing

| all_lyrics = Pete Loeffler

| all_music = Pete Loeffler, Sam Loeffler and Dean Bernardini{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=165847|title=Chevelle: 'Hats Off To The Bull' Track Listing, Artwork Revealed|work=Blabbermouth.net|date=November 8, 2011|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110222928/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=165847|archive-date=November 10, 2011|url-status=dead}}

| title1 = Face to the Floor

| length1 = 3:38

| title2 = Same Old Trip

| length2 = 3:09

| title3 = Ruse

| length3 = 4:39

| title4 = The Meddler

| length4 = 4:13

| title5 = Piñata

| length5 = 3:54

| title6 = Envy

| length6 = 4:19

| title7 = Hats Off to the Bull

| length7 = 3:55

| title8 = Arise

| length8 = 4:25

| title9 = Revenge

| length9 = 3:30

| title10 = Prima Donna

| length10 = 3:40

| title11 = Clones

| length11 = 3:27

|total_length = 42:49

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = iTunes bonus track{{cite web|url=http://www.chevelleinc.com/news/hats-bull-available-pre-order-itunes|title=Hats Off to the Bull Available for Pre-order on iTunes!|publisher=Chevelle|access-date=December 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120055125/http://www.chevelleinc.com/news/hats-bull-available-pre-order-itunes|archive-date=November 20, 2011|url-status=dead}}

| title12 = Indifference

| length12 = 2:09

|total_length = 44:58

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Best Buy bonus tracks

| title12 = Glimpse of the Con

| length12 = 5:59

| title13 = Still Running (Live at the Metro)

| length13 = 3:50

|total_length = 52:38

}}

• Pete Loeffler – vocals, guitar
• Sam Loeffler – drums
• Dean Bernardini – bass, organ on "Prima Donna" and "Envy", additional drums on "Envy"
• Natalie Bernardini – backing vocals on "Same Old Trip"
• Joe Barresi – co-producer, engineer, mixer
• Chevelle – co-producer
• William Albert Allard – album cover
• Jun Murakawa – assistant engineer
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Dave Collins – mastering

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Category:2011 albums

Category:Chevelle (band) albums

Category:Epic Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Joe Barresi

Category:Progressive rock albums by American artists