Customer Reviews

Decadence

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is a fun album with dance grooves to go crazy to and insightful lyrics to keep you searching for the truth.
By the artists involved with 'Decadence' you can tell what a magical and easy to digest album this is. Many fun guitar parts, funky bass lines and beautiful beats keep the listener interested without boring you to death with it's pop sense abilties. This is acutally how pop electronic-rock music should sound. Fans of Glassjaw and The Automater should not hesistate to pick this gem up...this is a wonderful album to add to any cd collection.

Daryl Palumbo took a break from his duties as vocalist for the hardcore band Glassjaw in order to create music with a rockin' party vibe, and the result is Head Automatica. Dan the Automator continues to challenge himself by handling the production and programming on this disc, even though the music is much more rock than hip-hop. Decadence incorporates a variety of styles ranging from the `60s garage rock rave up of "At The Speed Of A Yellow Bullet" to the early `90s Brit-pop shuffle beat of "Brooklyn Is Burning." While not quite deserving of the next-big-thing status that some are bestowing upon them, Head Automatica is a fun band with a trashy edge nevertheless.

- Connell Burton McDaniel
Synthesis.net

I'll be the first to admit that I'm pretty close-minded about music. I found what kind of music I like a long time ago and that's what works for me, I don't really care to check out different genres and whatnot. But I just kept hearing so many good things about Head Automatica that I had to check them out. Well, that'll teach me once and for all not to rule something out without listening to it first. I'm absolutely addicted to this album. It'll take medication or intense therapy to get these songs out of my head. I am in awe of Daryl Palumbo, he is an unbelievable human being. Decadence just goes to show that he is not only talented, he is versatile and very clever. He's not just a musician, he's a music artist. As has already been said, this is definitely not Glassjaw all over again. I happen to like both bands, but if you're a fan of one, it doesn't necessarily mean you're a fan of the other. This is a CD to turn up as loud as you can possibly stand it. It's a rock album you'll want to dance to like you're having a psychotic episode. Very creative, innovative, unique, interesting, FUN. Dance rock. There's a couple tracks I don't have much to say about, but the tracks I can't get enough of far outnumber them. "Beating Heart Baby" has been stuck in my head ever since the first time I heard it. There is something you should take note of before you buy this though: it sounds to me like an album you'll either love or hate. It pushes you to an extreme with really no in between. If you love the clips you hear and just want more, go get it. Like right now. If you're unsure about the clips and think maybe you'll just try it anyway... don't. You'll just get mad and come write an angry review here.

Everyone is commenting on what Dan "The Automator," and Daryl Palumbo have done in previous outfits, be it Gorillaz or Glassjaw. The bottom line is this is not Gorillaz or Glassjaw (Please note that Glassjaw is not pop-punk though, I cannot stress that enough, its not that easy to classify music). Anyway this cd is great for what it tries to do, which is make a pop album, there are no attempts to make something that these two have done before. I've been downloading pre-releases of these songs for about 6 months now, and I still love everyone of them (Contrary to what was said earlier, this CD was not released as Tokyo Decadence, someone just called it that because it was thought to be the title). The beats are amazing and its just a fun record to listen to. If you like Glassjaw that does not mean you are going to like this, if you like Deltron it does not mean you are going to like this, Not every band is only for fans of similar bands. If you are not sure about this CD then go see HA live, it was one of the best shows I have ever been to in my life, so much energy and so much fun. Stand out tracks: The Razor, I Shot William H. Macy.

You can imagine my first reaction when I heard Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw would be fronting an experimental/electronica/dance outfit called Head Automatica. I think it went something like this : "What the hell?" In all reality I should not love this album the way I do, since this music isn't my first of preferred taste (although I am a huge Glassjaw fan, and have a very broad range of musical listening). But for some reason, every time I pop in "Decadence", I just simply cannot stop listening to it. Maybe it's the infectious beats, or the great production, or once again an outstanding vocal performance from Daryl, but whatever it is, there's something special about Head Automatica. While I'm not so much familiar with the Automator's previous works (I will be looking into them now though) I can say that this album is just as addicting as it gets. If you're a fan of Daryl's previous projects, most notably Glassjaw, prepare for a surprise, because this is unlike anything he's ever linked himself to. And that's one of the biggest drawing points of the record.

Honestly despite my hesitation to purchase "Decadence", I really only picked it up because I was a fan of Glassjaw. They were and still are my favorite band, and so I figured I'd give this album a shot. A year and a half ago when I popped this into my cd player I braced myself for whatever could possibly come running through my speakers. Needless to say that as soon as the first seconds of "At The Speed Of A Yellow Bullet" hit I knew that I had made the right decision. And I've never thought twice since. Everything about "Decadence" is pure gold. The music is terribly, terribly catchy and I guarantee you'll have parts or phrases of songs stuck in your head for days. Whatever type of music you want to label this as (electronica, dance, pop, rock) it doesn't really matter, because as soon as the cd starts you're going to forget that this is supposed to be a cd from a certain genre.

Daryl, as always, gives a great vocal performance. Of course it's far different from anything he'd done in say Glassjaw, so it might be an adjustment at first. His lyrics are kind of toned down, mostly centered on pop-culture slams ("Tara Reid is a Hooker", "Zach Morris is my hero") but that is all that you could really expect from a project such as this. In fact after looking at the lyrics carefully, I find there's a lot of interesting references and points made in Daryl's words, although they're sometimes covered over by not so flattering catch phrases. The music is excellent. With Keyboards, carefully placed but not overpowering guitars, drum beats that will make you want to get up out of your seat and dance all around the room, electronics that accent the music perfectly, and bass lines that are just as catchy as anything you've ever heard it's no real surprise. I especially love the keyboard/sample part at the beginning of "King Caesar", and the electronics in "Beating Heart Baby" are most pleasing to the ear. They're perfect examples of how the album comes together. Is it any wonder that this cd is as good as it is?

Really this might be a big adjustment for fans of Glassjaw (but I'm sure by now most everyone has at least listened to HA) but it's nothing that can't be gotten past. "Decadence" is just simply one of my favorite CDs. Every time I turn it on, I don't want to stop until I reach the end. If you're a Daryl fan, this is definitely a must listen, although it might not appeal to everyone. However after giving it a chance I'm sure most will be just as addicted to the sound as I am. If you somehow happen to have skipped this cd up until now, then I'd advise you to get a copy. If you're a fan of any of the previous bands, you'll most likely enjoy this. If not, that's understandable, it's very different. With Head Automatica's new album slated to hit shelves this summer, now's the perfect time to get reacquainted with band, or discover them for the first time. Either way I'm sure you'll be singing along and dancing in no time.

Head Automatica is not profound. They are not innovators. They are not anything of any serious relevance. They are, however, going to rock the hell out.

This might be the cheesiest album I've ever heard. C'mon, a chorus that goes "Hip hip hooray, you're our saving grace, here's to you and your poker face"...thats pretty lame, no matter what book you go by. Thankfully, thats also in the worst track on the album. Besides, lyrics are not where Head Automatica earns its 4 stars.

What makes this album so cool, in my opinion, is its fusion of rock-n-roll w/funk and bigbeat, w/emocore-ish vocals (the dude from Glassjaw didn't totally dump his angst). Sure, some songs are repetitive, but man, have they got hooks. "Please Please Please" has, you guessed it: a pretty lame chorus...thats gonna get stuck in your head for days. It doesn't hurt that the guitar riff to that song is catchy-as-hell, and the song is dripping in funk-rock. That seems to be the general formula. Of course, "Solid Gold Telephone" is cool in its spacey verses and use of piano and drum breaks, and "Head Automatica Soundsystem" even has Dan the Automator (a major player in the band) throw in a line or two of lyrics before the, yep, catchy-but-lame chorus. Other than this, most of the songs really aren't that different. Sure, "Brooklyn is Burning" has a little electronic melody to add to its guitar riff, and "The Razor" and "Dance Party Plus" have these staccato riffs that don't flow like the funkier ones elsewhere, but each song is cut from the same mold...which is exactly how we want it.

Honestly, if you were expecting innovation on this album, you were destined for disappointment. If you were expecting an album you could spin from beginning to end and feel like you just got back from a party, then you must be feeling pretty good about this album. And, for those of you whom I write this to, those of you who do not yet own/have not yet heard this, let me say this: take this for what it is, a party rock record that will get stuck in your head, one whose riffs are so drenched in sugary-funk-pop you might get sick the way you did after Halloween when you were 7, and whose lyrics are so inane that if you have a 9th grade education you might wince...if you do that, you're gonna get yourself a damn good album. If you expect anything more, say goodbye to your money. This album is fun, straight up. Fun as hell. Nothing more, and nothing less.

Palumbo isn't kidding when he says he just wants to *bleep*ing party. Decadence is the kind of CD you can see people dancing to in the local club. There's a lot of energy throughout the CD. These guys don't take themselves seriously and that's a nice turn because it makes this just a fun, if a bit simple, album. This isn't a great album, but it's still worth every penny. 3.5 stars, giving it 4 because it's closer to a 4 than a 3.

I can't say I'm the biggest Glassjaw nor Gorillaz fan on the planet but both groups have managed to make some pretty good songs. This child is the result of Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and Daryl Palumbo getting together and forging a dance-house-pop group.

"Brookyln is Burning" is the first song I heard and right away, I was hooked to the catchy bass 'n drum beats, plus Daryl's voice helps out, he sounds almost like Elvis Costello on some of the tracks.

For most of the album (And when I say most I mean 60% - 70%), the music tries to be as optimistic and snazzy as possible but, it's either a hit or a miss. "The Speed Of A Yellow Bullet" and "Beating Heart Baby" are two exemplications of nailing a good one but those moments, of coolness, are simply overshadowed by a set of unorthodox lyrics that border along the lines of being non-sensical to plain out cheesy.

In closing, it's still a good listen, if for anything, I suggest downloading a few songs and judging for yourself. At least they don't take themselves too serious, which is something a little lost in music these days.

i loved this c.d. like the title it was new and fresh and the guitar work and nakamura keep it raw combined with good musicianship in general.. actually for all those who read these reviews and know what i'm talking about i need some more names of similar bands with a similar sound, aside from glassjaw, which actually does sound a little different.. i'm in desperate need of new sounds and my contacts are weak.. [...]

I enjoyed this album. No, its not as good as some of the automaters other works, but still has a catchy sound to it. Basically, this is good cruising music. This is by far not the best cd I own, but I certainly dont think its near to the worst.
Its dancy beats are great if your in an upbeat mood and need something to keep you tapping your toes, but this isnt quite the emo kids dream.