Drop Dead

Violet Burning (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Label: Northern Records
• ASIN: B000E893I8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #956,201 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great release from the hardest working independent band in Christian music, February 19, 2006

By 

Brian Reaves (Anniston, AL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Drop Dead (Audio CD)

Comparing The Violet Burning's music to anything known is hard to do. The band seems to somehow reinvent itself with each release while at the same time putting out familiar music that's comforting to their fan base. After a two year hiatus, we are treated to a new CD called Drop Dead, and it's full of new sounds while not alienating anyone used to their music.

For the most part, lead singer Michael Pritzl handles all the instruments himself with the exception of drums. That being the case, this is almost a solo release more than a group one. However he chose to release it, this is some of the best music the band has come out with in years. Hearkening all the way back to Strength, the songs here rock.

"Humm" starts things off with a more relaxed, atmospheric sound, setting the stage for a worship feel to the record (Pritzl and the band started out as a worship band for a Vineyard church in California, so it's a natural fit). Just when you relax and think it's time for something from Faith and Devotions of a Satellite Heart, you're hit with "All I Want". The song is good, and fits into that familiar sound I mentioned earlier. This could have easily come off their last record. Pritzl's vocals are a versatile as ever, going from whispered breathy tones to full-blooded screams in a heartbeat.

"Do You Love Me" fires out of the chute next. This is probably one of my favorite songs on the record. It's gritty rock and roll with an 80's punk feel at times. "Already Gone" keeps the flow going with great guitar work before things slow down again with "More", an odd little five minute tune with a two-and-a-half minute introduction. Fans of The Rock n' Roll Worship Circus or The Listening will find a familiar sound through much of this record thanks to the contribution of Gabriel Wilson (lead singer of the bands) musically sprinkled throughout.

Most every song here is a good one. I guess taking the time off between releases gave them time to bring together a great selection of songs to the table. Unlike most CDs I get, I didn't find myself reaching for the skip button at any point. Even the weaker tunes like "Eleanor" and "Rewind" are still better than most bands.

Somehow the band always manages to deliver a consistent sound while just barely pushing the boundaries a little further musically with each release. This allows them to grow while not being such a drastic change as to make it impossible to keep a constant fan base. If you love their music, this is another great release from the guys. If you've never heard them before, it's a perfect place to jump in and find yourself surrounded by an aural soundscape to rock your teeth out at times. Fans of Simple Minds, The Listening, Blank, The Choir or the 77s should give it a try.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner, March 3, 2006

By 

Nathanael (St. Louis, Missouri) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Drop Dead (Audio CD)

Okay, I think someone entitled their review "Outstanding for a fairly new band". I'm not sure where that comes from, since the Violet Burning has actually been recording since 1989...

Someone else called it leftovers from The Gravity Show. I don't deny the comparison is valid, but I really liked the The Gravity Show. I thought it was a really interesting exploration, kind of like when The Smashing Pumpkins released Adore. They're both most interesting with a good pair of headphones so you can get all the interesting little sounds that make those albums really rich.

I think the best was way to think of it is a mix between elements from The Violet Burning Demonstrates Plastic and Elastic and The Gravity Show: Fabulous Like You. I think it's stronger than The Gravity Show, but not as strong as Plastic and Elastic, which I would personally rate as their best album.

I have to say, though, the appeal of The Violet Burning goes beyond just their music. I saw them about 2 years ago in St. Louis, with an audience of MAYBE 20 people. Don't get me wrong, the Violets can draw a good sized crowd, especially for a band that gets promoted mainly by word of mouth. The fact is, they rocked the house that night, with no apparent thought to the size of the crowd. What that show really drove home to me is that these guys really do it because they love doing it, period. They haven't acheived the big time commercial success of alot of similar bands, but play because they enjoy it and want their audience to it enjoy it too.

To me, their whole approach should serve as a model to other musicians out there, ESPECIALLY Christian musicians. I'm way more than happy to support a band like that as long as they continue to put out good music.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A welcome return to alternative Christian rock, March 29, 2010

By 

Canuck Monk (VanCity) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drop-Dead (Audio CD)

This was the first TVB release I ever bought (and helped lead me to the great Northern Records). The album is darker in tone than the two previous TVB releases. "Faith And Devotions Of A Satellite Heart" brought TVB back to the worship album days of "Chosen" and "Strength" while "This Is The Moment" I think is TVB's weakest release-it sounds like your steretypical CCM rock album. "Drop-dead" brings back the alternative rock and even adds in a bit of a "punk-ish" edge. "Do You Love Me?", with its screaming guitar, "Rewind" and "Swan Sea" are great rock songs that are sure to please the listeners while the final two songs, "The End Begins" and "One Thousand Years", are slow and yearning in nature. While not as good as the S/T and "Demonstrates Plastic And Elastic", "Drop-dead" is a solid release by a terrific alternative Christian rock band.