Customer Reviews

Dancing Echoes / Dead Sounds

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is easily one of the best of the year for me. Codeseven combines spacy effects and sounds with thoughful songwriting and beautiful melodies to create a thouroughly enjoyable and inspiring album to listen to. It should be noted that this is not a straight up "rock" cd and is probably best appreciated with headphones (or very good speakers) and closed eyes. There are so many layers to listen to and peel back before you can fully grasp what an excellent album you're listening to. Albums this good really are far and few between. Top notch production, although the mix can feel a little bit flat sometimes.

1. La Memoire Reincarnee - This is an intro track which serves it's purpose well.

2. All the Best Dreams - Starts off with guitars and synths building a foundation, nice and peaceful, but moving. Vocals and subtle harmonies are a highlight here. The song progresses to a heavy melodic chorus, which as simple as it is, is the perfect compliment to the first couple of minutes. This has some of the "heaviest" moments on the cd, but they are never grating by any means.

3. Pathetic Justice - Starts off immediately an upbeat catchy drumbeat, prominent vocals and piano. It's hard to dislike this song after listening for the first few seconds. This was the first song that I'd heard from this cd, and it was enough to pique my interest in the band.

4. Nasty little revolution - Wow, this is easily one of the best - if not the best - tracks on the cd (and that's no easy feat). The song has a very airy start to it with synth and guitar effects that are so good could have been pulled straight off dark side of the moon. Crunchy synth drums eventually come in and lead the song on. Some of the most memorable riffs and melodies are found in this track. This song is one of the best treats you could ever give a pair of headphones.

5. Quail's Dream - Ambient listening, very synth oriented. It serves to connect two very dissimilar tracks in a graceful way, while maintaining a very distinct feel. Very spacy.

6. Roped and Tied - This song is synth pop meets guitars. This could easy be released as a single if Codeseven ever chose to do so. It still maintains the general feel of the album with it's electronic sounds and guitar highlights. Very strong melodies and vocals dominate this song.

7. The Day that doesn't end - I swear this is straight off Radiohead's "The Bends" or "Pablo Honey". I can't really give this song an accurate description, because I'm so reminded of that early Radiohead sound - but that's a very good thing.

8. Shalo - Another interlude track. I'm reminded of "Selected Ambient Works Vol 2" by Aphex Twin (which if you haven't heard, you must). Sit back with the headphones and close your eyes. Feels like you're in a dream.

9. Alt Wave - Unapologetic retro synth sounds and an upbeat drum beat lay the foundation for this song. The vocal harmonies are very clever, extremely catchy, and some of the most memorable on this cd. This song is another highlight on this fairly diverse collection. I don't know what you put into my glass, but it sure makes me feel.

10. The Devil's Interval - This song was not immediately catchy, and has a slightly darker feel to it (hint: diminished fifths, look it up). It manages to use and repeat chord combinations that could be very difficult to use in a non-metal band without sounding heavy. There is one part in the middle of this song that feels like it doesn't fit, kind of a tack on, but thankfully doesn't last very long. This song is a grower.

11. Cherry Tree - This is the prelude to the final track, and in all fairness, it should be counted as the same song. I imagine it was split up so people with a short attention span could get to the "real song" quicker. Next time, don't cop out guys, leave the "intros" on the same track!

12. Sunflower - This song has a dark moody feel to it. Manages to feel heavier than just about the rest of the cd due to the mood that gives you, without being at all abrasive. Towards the end, the "solo" guitar has one of the absolute most amazing tones I've ever heard. The song isn't fast paced, but still feels pretty driving for a short bit at the end. At the end the vocalist sings "oh my god what have we done?". Codeseven has created a very good album that will be in my prized cd collection for years to come.

I am a big fan of the space-rock/proggressive music that is creeping under the radar these days. I get elated when I find a band like Codeseven - one that combines sharp originality, a compassionate sound, and a heart bigger than the world. These guys are excellent.

This is the first Codeseven cd I have heard, and upon falling in love with this cd, I took a look at their past releases and was suprised at how different this was. But both Codeseven sounds are excellent.

As far as this one goes, there is something every indenpendent music fan will enjoy. "All the Best Dreams" combines synthetic keys and a catchy groove with some amazing vocals and a heavy climax. "Nasty Little Revolution" is so beautiful and so imaginative and dreamy. "Sunflower" carries a spacey, dark, and heavy tone that ends the album perfectly. Even the short interludes between the "songs" are excellent. Reminds me of a more upbeat, yet sometimes darker, old Dredg.

So this cd is excellent and worthy of ready ears to devour the sound and enjoy it fully. So give them a listen.

i stumbled across their advertisement in some alternative music magazine and after downloading their cd, I was totally blown away by the soothing voice of the singer. Codeseven has totally changed their style from their previous albums. their older albums have a few decent singles like the cover "Boys of SUmmer" and "Incommunication" and "Smell of Yellow and Black" but their songs weren't like anything you haven't heard from other bands. but this album practically makes them sound like an entirely different band. their lyrics are amazing, i especially love the lyrics to "All the Best Dreams" and "Pathetic Justice". Definately check out this particular album of Codeseven, you'll love it. I've been listening to this album non-stop.

codeseven has done it again. I couldnt imagine anything that could compare to their previous release The Rescue, but after seeing them last night and listening to Dancing Echoes/Dead Sounds, I will take back my words. And yes, while The Rescue is probably one of my favorite albums of all time, DE/DS is only a notch or two behind the perfection. Oh! What a feast for the ears! Never getting boring or mundane at any point, this album transports you to different soundscapes and elevates and devastates you in ways I haven't felt in a long time, given the shallowness of many current bands in the scene, disposable and forgetable. Codeseven, however exist in a realm outside scenes or trends, with their recent albums, at least in my book, achieving "timeless" status, akin to Radiohead. For example, I know I'll be able to pull out the Rescue (or this album as well) in 5-10 years and still be able to enjoy and appreciate it as much as I do now. Think about how many bands you listened to half a decade ago that you can say the same for.
With their sound darker, more refined, and more electronic, the album is definately a step in the next direction, past The Rescue. Each member wrote a few songs and brought them to the table to be worked on I was recently told by singer Jeff Jenkins, whose voice literally dances and echoes in the recesses of your memory after listening to the CD. I must say I do not give 5 star ratings haphazardly unlike many folk who give 5 stars - why? cause they're the best band ever! i love them! No, no, no, my friends, this album deserves the worship and praise it has a will recieve for years to come.

It's rare for me to listen to a CD over and over anymore. I did it a lot when I was young but now I usually have a "been there heard that" attitude. That's why I was surprised to get so hooked by this CD. This is not background music. It's not catchy music that quickly gets old. In fact it gets better with age!

Don't believe me? Do a Google on "Codeseven" & "evr100". This will give you a link to the Equalvision web site where you can listen to the entire CD for free! Listen several times. Once you're hooked come back and buy the CD. (After all these guys are trying to make a living and if you don't support them they can't keep it up forever!)

Codeseven is a band that has ventured into more than one genre, searching for their sound and it seems that they have
found their niche. The early work of this band was trying to express an agressiveness that felt more forced than sincere.
Thankfully, they toned things down and showed a more mature sound with The Rescue. Quiet melodies and soft vocals were
contrasted with moments of bombast and granduer.

The Rescue paved the way for their newest cd, dancing echoes/dead sounds. The album requires a certain level of maturity,
it lacks the overly agressive sound that is dominating the scene right now. The quiet percussion and subtle guitarwork speak to a more grown up audience.
Stuck in between Coldplay and Radiohead, the album is a welcome change of pace to the inarticulate screaming and straight up whiney bands that have come to dominate the airwaves.

This is a wonderful cd, that has all the best elements of alternative/space rock music. Great texturing, and refinement of their sound. It's one of the more surprising releases from Equal Vision, and separates itself from the collective ethos of any particular "music scene." All the Best Dreams (lyrics in my review title) is an amazing song.

Was in say, 1999 on Seaton Hall's Piarate Radio WSOU (South Oragne, NJ college radio station. It was their cover of "Boys Of Summer." It had a very raw sound to it. I liked it. I didn't love it, i didn't hate it. But that was also pretty much the last time i'd heard them.
So needless to say it suprised me when a friend of mine was raving to me about this new cd by this band called codedeven, and droping names like radiohead, and dredg as sililarites. I didn't think it could be the same codeseven (there are two actuly, i don't know what the other one sounds like of if their still together but you HAVE to spell their name "Code 7" while you MUST spell this band's name "Codeseven".) But sure enough it was the same band. and they made that fantastic first impression that they faild to make of me years ago. Upon the opening chords to "La Memoire Reincarnee" and the lead in to "All The Best Dreams" the more then had my attention. But my jaw really hit the floor upon heaing "Pathetic Justice." What a beautiful song! I love the light distortion in the guitars, with the perfection of the piano and vocals. and that god damn catchy beat!
I'm not going to give a track by track listing but this album is full of beautifuly catchy songs. They've defnitly resurected themselfs in to something eniterly new and a whole lot better. I didn't know but they used to have a second singer. It may be cruel to say but losing him may be the best thing that happed to this band. (Unless of course he died or something, i mean no disrespect.)

Some will probably say that this album is amazing, but not as much as The Rescue. To a certain extent, that could be true. It's all a matter of what resonates best with you as an individual, not an overall consensus. I personally, though, can say that this is the only album/DVD/anything that has ever inspired me to write a review (so beware if this ends up a little long, I'm a rambler).

Having said that, this album is truly one of the most amazing musical experiences I've ever had. I went to the mall since I had some cash, and went to a music store to see if there was anything interesting. I was pretty surprised when I saw a "Codeseven" tab in the music section. Usually these "tabs" are reserved for artists who have several CDs, and are well known, hence my surprise. I figured it would be The Rescue, or one of their older ones. I was doubly surprised to see a CD cover I had never seen before. Codeseven had come out with a new album, and I hadn't even known.

This album is truly one that touches you. Nowadays, there are several bands out there that make their music in such a way that it's best listened to when you're bored and have nothing to do. But Codeseven is one of those rarities that always gives you heart, and no filler, no matter what genre they do it in. And it always sucks you in.

I would, of course, recommend The Rescue before this one, if for no other reason than to be able to track their progress/evolution (or, go back to Sense of Coalition for a full progress report.). But this album is a must.

For example; when you listen to DE/DS for the first time, with the first "proper" song (which will also be the upcoming single), "All The Best Dreams", you truly have no idea what lies ahead (be it good or bad), because of the band's unpredictability. The verse brings you dreamily along, and then when the chorus hits, you suddenly feel like the flood gates have opened, and it hits you that this will be no usual half-assed follow up to a brilliant CD (a dissapointment that is pretty common). The album continues, with songs that vary mood-wise, but continue to pleasantly surprise and touch you.

Highlight songs for me would be: "Pathetic Justice" (who doesn't love dark piano ballads?), "Alt Wav" (come on, this song is seductive.), "The Devil's Interval" ("It won't break my heart if the stars fall out of the sky," very poetic, and beautiful.).

And my personal favorite: "Sunflower", very dark-rock style, and it really shows the full extent of what Jeff Jenkins can do with his amazing voice.

For the rest of you, there's plenty to love: "Roped And Tied" (the most "poppy" song on the album, but the chorus truly hooks you and will have you singing along even if you're not listening to it.), "The Day That Doesn't End" (purely because it's a fond reminder of the final self titled Stabbing Westward album, and what SW COULD'VE done.), "Nasty Little Revolution" is a nice political tale (not the kind that makes you say "Oh God, not another political song.), and of course, "All The Best Dreams", which instantly sucks you in.

This album, this BAND, is inspiring both as an avid music listener, and a musician. The vocals are always getting more deep and textured; the guitars seem to continually overlap and parallel eachother in the most natural way; the bass is always veering away from what the guitars are doing, delivering lines that are different but blend with the guitars seemlessly (something Jon Tuttle deserves more credit for.); and the drums are continually improving, being prominent without being intrusive (which is hard, sometimes.).

In closing, love for this CD will most likely vary, depending on what you personally search for in music. If you're looking for something "safe" and "comfortable" (which, don't be ashamed, a lot of you are.), then you might appreciate the band to a lesser extent. For those who are searching for bands that continually try to expand their horizons and push the boundaries of the current music scene and be bigger than any one genre, this CD will become an instant favorite. Some might say it's not as good as The Rescue, some might say it's better. Personally, I appreciate both albums equally, and moreso, I appreciate Codeseven themselves for creating such emotionally textured and beautiful music, and sharing it with us.