Customer Reviews

Civil War [Vinyl]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a Big fan of this band. This album is one of their most impressive efforts, if not their best. I've listened through only a couple times now but I think there are some stunners on this record. This album smells and tastes a little different than previous albums due in part to it's great recording quality and also to a sort of evolution in the song writing. They're trying new stuff on this album and it works. But the band still retains a fearless full frontal flagellating mission I have always enjoyed. This album is still very much Dillinger Four, but like any band worth listening to they are not writing stagnant riffs that echo all albums past (well maybe a few). And hate me for saying it, but some of this stuff is just damn beautiful. Beautiful like honest, unadulterated, human expression can be. They're still cleverly deriding church, state and vapid celebrities but there is also some more personal work here that is really brilliant. Six years since they're last release- which sucks-but after having heard this record, all is forgotten.

6 years waiting for this, I can't help but feel mild disappointment. The sound is way more polished than previous D4 albums, which sucks the energy out of the music.

It's pretty middle of the road for D4 (which automatically makes it more enjoyable than most punk albums of late). Going back and listening to Midwestern Songs of the Americas, however, just shows me how much better it could have been.

It's funny how people who give this album a bad review probably do not even play an instrument nor do they produce music. It's also funny how people want bands to write the same songs over and over again and never progress. But that is in fact what this band is doing. I'd compare their earlier works to a 500 pound gorilla smashing through barricades to protest and in the end no one listened. It made for one hell of a memorable display though. But when the mask came off and the man inside sits down and talks to you as a man. Then you will understand his personal stories and how it affects you.
In this new album you will hear not only Dillinger Four classic style but also all of their influences without blatantly ripping them off. You will be captivated by the number of times the song changes as you listen to it. If at first you listen and don't like it because it's different from the rest, good. It is you that needs to change your perspective and stop trying to force it on others. By the time you understand what I am saying this will be one of the best punk rock efforts of all time.
I don't drink anymore but if I did I would be playing Fruity Pebbles continually at the bar and raising my glass with all my old friends.

I can't say anything bad about these guys. I've tried to think of something...just can't do it. Back in 1995 or 1996 was my first encounter with these guys. At the time I referred to them as Dillinger Three. Their original guitar player had left to start up Man Afriad (I think) and hadn't yet gotten Billy into the roster yet. Still, it was brilliant.
Being from Minnesota I had an obligation to hold the banner high for these guys. I still have fond memories of sitting in my apartment and wearing out the "All The Kids Are Dead" E.P. and "Girlfriends and Bubblegum" 7"s. These guys have put out one solid release after another with Verses God being their most lackluster album.

In my opinion this album, Civil War is going to keep D4 out of the Vegas lounge retirement plan of playing Midwestern Songs front to back for all of eternity. Maybe it's because I've listened to Midwestern Songs so much, but I think this album surpases it somehow. The songs are more catchy and hook-laden than anything I've heard from these guys. The production is more polished so I was expecting it to lose some of the grit from previous releases. Top Notch.

But as always, with every release from Dillinger Four I am left feeling a bit worried. Might this be their last? Between The Triple Rock Social Club, Extreme Noise Records, having kids, and having a real personal life it's very understandable but man, I couldn't imagine life without their music.

Get this album or any of their others if you want to just rock the hell out. This is, to me, the most important album of 2009 because I am biased and have been a fan for over a decade.

As was mentioned below - six years in the making. As was mentioned below - it was a great even when it was a theory. As mentioned below - the recording quality is lacking, but does not take away from the overall feel.

The album is is irreverent yet heartfelt. You will laugh, you will cry. Yes, this is better than a lot of new albums dropped, even by veterans like Dilling Four.

So where is the meat? "A Jingle For the Product" is, like "Who Killed Bambi" or "Noble Stabbings!" a perfect opener, and one of my favorites from the record. Other standout's include: "Parishiltonisametaphor,"The Classical Arrangement," "Americaspremierfaithbasedinitiative," and, in my opinion, the best track, "The Art of Whore."

Every song (except "Fruity Pebbles") rocks hard, doesn't linger into oblivion, doesn't exploit itself - all the best qualities of Dillinger Four. A triumph in every way, shape and form. I cannot, especially for fans or one time fans who may have forgotten about Dillinger Four, I cannot recommend this album enough. I'm a huge Bob Dylan fan, but I'll go out and say that "CIVIL WAR" kept my attention longer and entertained and enlighted (maybe) more than Dylan's newest bootleg series (Tell Tale Signs). There is no comparison - but it may be closer than you think.

I always loved this band for their style and lyrics; they have always been really unique Punk Rock (which for a genre that relies on the same 8 - 10 power chords says ALOT) and now the production quality has caught up with the band (or at least the guy behind the mixing table has turned up the vocals and bass so I can actually hear them without completely messing with my equalizer). maybe that's just been me, dunno.

for me at least, for the above reason the other released really were 3.5 stars; this release is a strong 4.5 - 5.0 and is one of my favorite released this year.

OK, SO I'VE ONLY HAD THE ALBUM FOR THE BETTER PART OF 24 HOURS. HONESTLY, THIS ALBUM WAS 5 STARS EVEN WHEN IT WAS ONLY A THEORY. THIS BAND IS MAGICAL. HONESTLY, YOU WILL NEVER FIND A BAND MORE HEARTFELT (I MEAN THAT IN THE BILLY BRAGG/LEATHERFACE/OTIS REDDING WAY) EARNEST, AUTHENTIC OR BARBED IF YOU SEARCHED 'TIL THE DAY YOU DIE. THIS IS MUSIC AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYED. NO PHOTO OPS, NO GLOSS, NO TRICKS. LYRICALLY, IT IS EVERYTHING YOU'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM THESE GUYS AND MORE.
ALRIGHT, ENOUGH FAN BOY SILLINESS. THIS ALBUM IS GREAT AND TOMORROW IT WILL BE SIX STARS.

The lyrical content of their past releases is still pretty much alive and intact, but the sound is completely alien. This album was WAAAAAAAY overproduced. It's a shame a band like this has resorted to autotune. If I want some spit-polished vocals, I'll listen to the radio. Give me back the grimy sound of "Midwestern Songs..." and "This Sh-t is Genius." If this album was your introduction to D4, enjoy your new $12 coaster, but pick another album to get acquainted with.