Customer Reviews

Adultery

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dog Fashion Disco, commonly compared to other "strange" bands like System Of A Down, and more closely, Mr. Bungle, released their fifth album in April. "Adultery," which is essentially a story in itself, features some of their best and most creative work to date. As a result, it's an album that fans of metal, rock, punk rock, jazz, alternative...well, basically any genre shouldn't miss.

One must understand that "Adultery" is a story. Much like a film, as time goes by, the story is unfolded and if attention isn't paid, the story isn't understood. Each song is considered a "Chapter" in the story. The album begins with the chilling piano-and-whispers track, "The Uninvited Guest," which introduces the story's "character." The brief exposition is then lit on fire by the brief, blazing-fast drum solo that introduces "Sacrifice Of Miss Rose Covington." This brutal track shows off the heavy metal side of Dog Fashion Disco and also vocalist Todd Smith's raw, from-deep-down-the-throat roar. More than midway through the song is a buildup that takes all of the energy of the song, develops it, and blows it up in the listener's face.

"Silent Film," one of the strange songs on the album, begins with horns and a simple guitar riff that is accompanied by a low, baritone Smith. Midway through the song, there is a period of almost total silence that is disrupted quite forcefully by a random and almost humourous volley of bellows from Smith. "Silent Film" brings the character's deranged, violent thoughts into the story of "Adultery," and it's here that the album's story really picks up. "Sweet Insanity," possibly the closest you'd get to System Of A Down without replacing Serj Tankian with Smith, is a slow-paced, airy song about the character's lack of grasp on his mind. This song shows off Smith's impeccable range, as he changes pitch as easily as he changes socks.

"Desert Grave" is the first real break in the action, giving the listener's ears a break from the almost non-stop rampage that began more than 10 minutes prior to it. This song also imitates a popular sound, this time the super-low bellows of the late Johnny Cash. "Desert Grave" fits into the storyline at a point where the character has fallen in deeply in his dark ways and is quite literally trying to hide his evidence. "Moonlight City Drive" is rather similar to "Silent Film," as it introduces a very strange, Western/Vegas sound. Think synthesizers, horns, guitars, female vocals, and all sorts of crazy percussion. "Private Eye," the seventh track, isn't a song as much as it is an element of the story. It introduces the law to our deranged killer's story, as a detective has spotted the killer and an "unknown female." It becomes obvious that the demented, homicidal sexual predator has gotten in far too deeply, and one of the faster songs on the album "The Darkest Days" begins with a taunting riff that leads into a fast-paced but quiet vocal introduction by Smith. "Darkest Days" shows more of Smith's range, as he goes from quite low to quite high when the chorus begins. The chorus then ends with Smith's scream, which could quite easily shatter walls.

"Dead Virgins Don't Sing," like "Private Eye," isn't much of a song. In fact, it's less of a song and more of a chant. Cultists recite lines in the foreground while haunting music streams in the background, ending with a passionate and uprising speech by a cultist leader. It is assumed that this song indicates our anti-hero's search for a way out of his problems, albeit an unsuccessful attempt. "The Hitchhiker" is another strange song that introduces a little elevator and electronic music into the rock/metal mix, as well as the deep singing from Smith.

Easily the best and most gripping song on the album, "100 Suicides," follows "Hitchhiker." "100 Suicides" begins with a blasting guitars, horns, and drums that eventually go silent and give way to Smith's whispering vocals. The meaning of this song isn't as apparent due to its lyrics, but my interpretation is that the character is completely devoid of a sense of reality and wants to escape back to his past life, reincarnated. "100 Suicides" is most memorable by that guitar/horn combo, but it goes full-steam when it goes into a free-jazz breakdown. This breakdown is one of the most appropriately out-of-place (is that an oxymoron?) pieces of music I've ever heard, and it's helped by a fantastic in-and-out transition. As the song fades back into vocals, Smith's voice reaches a new low that quickly rises back into the fast pace that the song began with.

"Adultery," the title track, is a surprisingly great song that isn't as accessible initially, but makes up the last true song on the album. My interpretation of the song is that, despite his attempts in "100 Suicides," our lunatic character simply can't escape his primal, human lusts, which explains the most haunting and downright terrifying tracks on the album, "Mature Audiences Only." This slightly orchestral, instrumental track plays over almost inaudible samples of our character's confessions of lust, violence, sadistic tendencies that even leads to the possibility of cannibalism.

Dog Fashion Disco, the quintet from Baltimore, MD released a fantastic album in "Adultery." It's an album that can't be broken up to be truly appreciated-one must sit down for the entire album and listen to it from beginning to end to enjoy the storyline. Of course, listening to tracks like "Sacrifice Of Miss Rose Covington," "Sweet Insanity," "The Darkest Days," "100 Suicides," and "Adultery" will do the trick. "Adultery" is an album that, unlike a lot of other metal albums, doesn't offer a lot of creative leeway in its lyrics. It has a meaning in itself, a story, a start and an end. I think this design is fantastic and simply adds to the high level of talent that Dog Fashion Disco possesses.

"Adultery" is a product of Rotten Records, and isn't a super-easy find. It's most easily obtained through ordering online. Mr. Bungle, System Of A Down, and general metal fans wanting to experiment should jump at any chance to check out this album. If for no other reason (which isn't the case), it's a classic for its storyline gimmick and the jazz breakdown in "100 Suicides."

Dog Fashion Disco have done it again. Yes they've put out a new disc that outshines their last effort. With their newest cd, Adultery, the band really shows their roots and then adds so much more to the mix. You have all type of generes thrown in throughout the cd. Everything from all out heavy sounding to melodic and creepy sounding. If you're looking for something different and just more refreshing than what's 'hip' in the current music scene then check out DFD. This cd will blow you away. I could go into detail and try to describe each song but until you actaully hear the music then can you fully appreciate the band and their music. It is definately worth every cent you pay for it and I promise you'll be listening to it non-stop. Give the album a chance and give the band a chance, you will not be dissapointed.

This is DFD's best album, with Committed To A Bright Future coming in a close second. Heavy, Melodic, groovy, sexy, rockin jammy jammage. I mean, what review for this album could REALLY sum it up? Find out for yourself and pick up the most exciting and original album of 2006 and prolly the rest of the decade. This album is a kick in the teeth to all the carbon-copy manufactured radio bands and the whiny, boring emo scene. Best songs are Dead Virgins Don't Sing, 100 Suicides, Rose Covington, and The Hitchhiker. Its time for this band to get some limelight and have some money put BACK in their pockets for all their hard work and originality. Still a force to be reckoned with, Dog Fashion Disco are back with their most GRIM, eclectic album to date. Get all their records if you can b/c they all rule, but Adultery is the cream of the DFD crop. Buy it.

This Album is Easily Dog Fashion Disco's Best and an early candidate for album of the year. After hearing some of the newer material on "The City Is Alive Tonight- Live In Baltimore" CD/DVD combo, such as "Rat on a Sinking Ship", "Baby Satan", and the adrenaline-fueled cover of Nirvana's "Breed", it seemed as if Dog Fashion Disco was heading in a more riff-oriented, conventional sound. I was excited although somewhat apprehensive about hearing the new Dog Fashion Disco material on Rotten Records, after their deal with Artemis immediately went south after only one release. Then, the band posted " The Darkest Days" up on their Myspace page. My suspicions about a seemingly more focused Dog Fashion Disco, I thought, had been confirmed. "The Darkest Days" is a great rock 'n' roll song, but doesn't really represent the direction the band took on "Adultery". When I popped in the CD, I was immediately greeted with the soft, Pattonesque croon of Todd Smith over a haunting keyboard line that smacked heavily of "Director's Cut" era Fantomas. Following the album opener "The Uninvited Guest" is "The Sacrifice of Mrs. Rose Covington", which is arguably Dog Fashion Disco's heaviest song. Other Highlights of the album include "Silent Film", featuring a rampant brass section and bursts of psychopathic cartoon noise and jazz that wouldn't be out of place on Fantomas's "Suspended Animation". "Desert Grave" features Todd Smith laying down a bouncy a banjo line with vocals that carry the song; this one wouldn't sound out of place on a Johnny Cash album, which another reviewer has noted. "Moonlight City Drive" reminds the listener of the last album's "Pogo the Clown" and features one of the strongest riffs on the album. "100 Suicides" boasts the strongest straightforward riff on the album and is one of "Adultery's" most conventional songs. However, on this album DFD mostly eschews convention in favor of the ever-popular concept album. I don't want to ruin the excitement of deciphering the lyrics and story before you, but it's a great one. "Adultery"- the album that plays like a movie. Fans of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez may want to check this one out. In short, any fan of Dog Fashion Disco would have to be out of their mind to not pick this one up. It probably won't win any new fans, but it may help to both dispel and propogate the notion that Dog Fashion Disco is just another Patton rip-off. You decide.

Every album DFD has done has been worth purchasing and this album in no different. I appreciate all types of music however so many bands sound so similar, but not DFD!!! These guys are talented musicians with a creative edge in an area by themselves. If you have not heard their music and enjoy a mix of all types of music and genres with a heavy,humorous side give them a shot. If you enjoy DFD and have not listened to "The Exotic Sounds Of The Alter Boys" give this album a listen. The Alter Boys consist of the 5 members from DFD which joined forces with Mushroomhead's deep vocalist Jason Popkin and 2 other members from a band named 216. These 8 guys once again produced a great creative sound.

Awesome CD. You won't regret buying it. I listened to it for about 3 days straight when I got it. It's got a creepy, dark appeal, like most of DFD's previous music, but better!

On the first listen of this album I didn't like it at all. Since I also got "Committed To A Bright Future," I listened to that a few days later. I didn't like it much on the first couple listens, but after that I really started to appreciate it, and in a few more listens I started to love it. And yes, both these albums sound Bungle influenced, but they don't sound to much like them. I love them both without ever saying "but they're not as good as Bungle." It's just not the same. "Adultery," took me a little longer to get into, but now I love it. There are some really good, catchy songs on here.. "The Darkest Days" is probably the catchiest and is an incredible song. There are also some very cool unique songs such as "Dead Virgins Don't Sing," with eerie chantlike vocals with violas and other string instruments, the beautiful sounding "Mature Audiences Only," with lyrical content that few would consider beautiful. Another standout track is "Silent Film," the verses are awesome. "Moonlight City Drive" is insanely catchy as well. This band is so underrated it's ridiculous, I believe the Bungle comparisons overshadows there songwriting. When I first listened to them after hearing a million times how they are bungle rip-offs or "DFD are my fav band, along with Bungle," I felt letdown which is probably why I didn't like it at first. It's hard to expect another Bungle and you won't be getting it. Keep that in mind and get it off your mind and enjoy "Adultery" (and "Committed to a Bright Future") for what it is... an incredible journey in sound and storytelling. DFD and Polkadot Cadaver probably are the closet you'll get to Bungle and you'll appreciate that in time, no matter how hard it is to get over the fact there is no other. They're their own band.

EDIT: Upping this to 5 stars.
This album is the musical equivalent to a great horror/murder mystery movie. The lyrics are improved over past albums, the production is better, and the music is superb. They really sound matured. This CD's a serious grower, like ridiculously. Incredible.

Adultery elevates DFD to another level and firmly establishes them as one of the great bands performing today. The DFD story is finally getting out and overwhelmingly positive media reviews have given them the long overdue exposure they should have had 5 years ago with the release of Anarchists of Good Taste. No DFD fan or fans of their influences, Mr. Bungle, System of a Down, Tool and Clutch will be disappointed with this album. Once again, DFD have chosen to remain genre-less and they just don't make bad songs. They are currently on an extended tour promoting the album and if you get a chance to see them live you won't be disappointed. Very few bands get better with each succeeding album and DFD, GWAR and Ministry are the only other 3 bands I can think of that did. The album consists of 13 chapters and has something for everyone. Radio play candidates include The Sacrifice of Miss Rose Covington, Sweet Insanity, Desert Grave, Moonlight City Drive, 100 Suicides and the modern rock anthem The Darkest Days. Help the band out and buy not download the album. This one will be in your CD player for an extended period of time. Videos of Silent Film and 100 Suicides can be viewed at www.dogfashiondisco.com.

There will be no fan of DFD disappointed with this one. Every aspect of DFD is here, heavy groovy guitars, wonderful keyboards that never disappoint, solid drumming, lots of horns and Todd Smiths awesome vocals. Sure he does resemble General(Mike) Patton in ways but what else is new......a concept album. This is what one would expect from DFD a metal,rock,jazz,funk hybrid, very interesting to say the least. The arrangements are wonderfully put together and the musicianship is in high form.'Anarchists' was refreshing,'Bright Future' was awesome but 'Adultery' leaves these albums in the dust.

I had a feeling when I received this album that it was special. After the first listen I knew that I was right. This album has everything that makes DFD, and then some. It starts out with a haunting fantomas like keyboard tune and then jumps into one of DFD's heaviest songs to date. From there on, you'll be hypnotized by the beauty that this disk brings. The band has refined everything that made them what they are, almost to a point of perfection. The horns are a bigger force on quite a few of the songs, and it gives a feeling like "Pogo the clown." Todd has seemingly refined his vocal power and brought it to new heights. In "Sweet Insanity" he delivers a magnificent performance, and continues to mix things up with songs like "Desert Grave" and "Private Eye." This album brings all the quirky fun that DFD always brings, but in a much more refined and professional form. The only flaw on the disk is at the end of "Private Eye" but tracks like "Desert Grave," "Moonlight City Drive," and "Adultery" easily make up for it. This album is one everyone should hear, its an amazing masterpiece.