Customer Reviews

Downtown Battle Mountain

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD is perhaps one of my favorite CD's out now in 2007. Compared to some of the other overproduced CD from Rise Records (Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Before Their Eyes, The Devil Wears Prada, etc.) , there is a more honest sound in Downtown Battle Mountain, minus a few little thing's like in the Untitled track and 12 Hours, 630 Miles.

Dance Gavin Dance sounds a little bit like Chiodos, mixed with At The Drive-In, mixed with an R&B singing style, and man does it sound good and orginal. Although there is alot of screaming in the Downtown Battle Mountain, this CD could possibly change your mind about Screamo music if you don't like it.

Here is a small review of each song

1. Untitled NA/5 - This is just an intro that's about less than a minute

2. And I Told Them I Invented New Times Roman 5/5 - A good start for the album and the intro sets up the song nicely

3. It's Safe To Say You Dig The Backseat 5/5 - Once again another awesome song

4. Strawberry Andre 5/5 - Good song as well, the lyrics in the beginning made me laugh a little

5. Lemon Meringue Tie 5/5 - Starts off slow at the beginning for a short time, but then picks up the pace a few seconds later. The chorus in this song is probably my favorite one of the CD

6. The Backwards Pumpkin Song 5/5 - If you haven't been impressed by the CD so far, this is the song that will make you change your mind.

7. Antlion 5/5 - This song is where the band starts sounding the most like
At The Drive-In. The beginning also sounds pretty energetic.

8. Turn Off The Lights I'm Watching Back To The Future 5/5 - Another good song with a good chorus and a nice slow bridge.

9. Open Your Eyes And Look North 5/5 - A nice slow beginning to the song that makes you think it's a slow song at first, but then picks up the pace.

10. Surprise, I'm From Cuba, Everyone Has One Brain 5/5 - (I guess it's not suprising that I'm giving alot of 5's to the songs) Once again great song that also lyrics about some type of fantasy RPG. Instant 5 for that.

11. 12 Hours, 630 Miles 3.5/5 - This is definitely the weakest song in the CD. It's a nice slow acoustic song that as soon as you think the song is getting somewhere, it ends. It's a shame that a CD with consistently amazing songs ends with a weak song.

Anyways, what are you waiting for? Go buy this CD now. I won't be disappointed.

Comparisons to Underoath would be appropriate, but Dance Gavin Dance has a more progressive, more melodic sound. Like most of the "screamo" bands, the melodies at times have to contend with the screaming. But the lead vocals of Jonny Craig are so stirring and the songs structured so tightly that you'll be hooked quickly enough. It would, nonetheless, be interesting to hear Mr. Craig singing more traditional rock. Along with Circa Survive, this has to be one of the best releases of 2007.

Dance Gavin Dance's brand new album is unbelievably good for a number of reasons. When I bought this album I was expecting it to be alright based on their previous EP. The EP is decent but nothing that would shoot the band up into one of my favorites. Downtown Battle Mountain is NOTHING like the EP. This full-length is just gripping the whole way through. Every track is a standout. This band just loves to mix it up and they combine elements of all types of music with a screamo/hardcore spin on it.
The album sounds like a clash between two people; one telling his story with beautiful melody and the other screaming about everything. What I really love about this album is the guitar work. There is a ton of emotion felt with the guitar riffs and sometimes it feels very Fall Of Troy-ish and even atmospheric like Circa Survive.
This really is a solid release by this band and has unexpectedly given them a spot in my list of favorite bands.

The best tracks on this album are definitely Lemon Meringue Tie, The Backwards Pumpkin Song, and Antlion. Anyway give this a real listen and you'll be surprised with how innovative they are in a genre of music that has a lot of repetition.

This is one of the greater albums that the human race has created so far. All open minded humans take note. There are amazing sounds here.

Incredible album all the way through, intro and outro aside. It almost feels like one long song with different movements, but it never gets old or monotonous. The musicianship is outstanding, incredibly solid drumming with a pretty heavy groove for whatever style this is (screamo seems to lump it in with a whole bunch of subpar bands that have nothing to say musically), guitar is both thick and brooding while venturing into jazz melodies. Almost intellectual in sound, which makes repeated listening enjoyable. The screaming is good, placed lower in the mix, which is nice.

But the real highlight is Jonny Craig's vocals, which just rip through and above the music. The combination of mournful soul and grit when he pushes it completely separate this band from anything close. I've literally never heard a singer near his range and power singing this music...imagine a cross between Brandon Boyd and Michael Jackson.

Why this album has so few reviews in beyond me, but if you stumble across it, buy it. Essential listening.

I'd like to first say that if you don't enjoy: "R&B"/"Soul", "Screamo", or "Post-Hardcore" bands in general, you will not enjoy this album.

I first heard a glimpse of this album in September of 2007. The song titled "Lemon Meringue Tie" which was recommended by a close friend. I was not used to this style of music - the intense, yet smooth guitar flow, the passionate, yet soulful singer, and the brash screaming - definitely took adjusting; within the first listen I discarded it.
However, after a couple of days, I realized I was being too harsh and gave them another listen. I then began to ACTUALLY listen instead of involuntarily disengaging myself from the music. I soon found that there was plenty to be liked from this band and their particular effort in this album.

First of all, the album sets the tone with its acoustic introductory "Untitled" track that plays a dynamic sound bite. This track serves an important role in establishing the theme of every track in this record (specifically the ending). The introductory song builds up and leads to the climax that is "And I Told Them I Invented Times New Roman," that officially sets start to the album. Much of the songs throughout the record are delivered in the same manner as the first track - epic, poetic, and intense.

Summary of tracks:
Song tracks often express both passion and soul brought on by Jonny Craig - the bands main attraction. The controversy with this band is with their screamer, which some would argue his delivery resembles more of a growl, it's raspy, fierce and fast; few can deliver such a unique, and raw vocal performance (think "Trophy Scars," a screamo-oriented "Tom Waits," all in the flow form of a rap). The "screamer", Jonathan Mess, is often the underdog in this debut effort, contributing contrasting vocals to that of Craig, and providing complementary yet orthodox vocal harmonies. The dual guitars on this album are found frequently complementing each other - sometimes exemplifying or even battling one another. Guitars on their own have a sound so dynamic, and atmospheric that catchy riffs are abundant as expected with such a combination of sounds. The guitar lead, Will Swan, absolutely knows his way around a guitar, and shows you his prowess in tracks like "Antlion," and "The Backwards Pumpkin Song." Sean O'Sullivan, second guitarist, deserves much respect for delivering solid power chords that holds down and strengthens their tenacious sound. Their bassist, Eric Lodge, although heard rarely, does great on tracks like "Lemon Meringue Tie," and "It's Safe to Say You Dig the Backseat." The drums on this album absolutely destroys any notion that Matt Mingus (drummer) is sacrificing performance for the sake of making a hit single. The drums on this album hold everything together intricately - making it the backbone of this debut. Matt's frequent use of the double bass pedal in the most surprising of places adds color to the songs with his intensity and angst. Overall performance tops anything I've seen in this genre, never settling less for anything other than impressive.

Personal favorites: "It's Safe To Say...", "Open Your Eyes and Look North", "Turn Off The Lights, I'm Watching Back To The Future"

First of all i have to say that this album is THE BEST Dance Gavin Dance have come out with. The second you pop this cd and take a listen you'll be blown away by the track And i Told Them I Invented Times New Roman. Jonny Craigs vocals are amazing, and jon mess does what he does best and gives a very harsh tone to the excellent singing Jonny gives. Again if your into post-hardcore and listened to just about everything else, or your found out about this band and wanted to take a listen, i assure you to BUY THIS ALBUM. This is full of great tracks and stunning vocals. I guarantee you will not be dissapointed.

wow this package arrived so quick i wasnt even expecting but i definetly recommend buying from this seller