Customer Reviews

Drop Dead

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This CD is what started it all for me as a fan of TVB, not ever hearing of the band before it's release. A friend of mine at work brought it in when it first came out and let me listen to it, along with The Gravity Show's Fabulous Like You (Same band, I guess call it their pseudonym) and I was hooked, buying every single CD from TVB, TGS and Michael Pritzl's solo albums. This is a more recent release from the band that has over 20 years under their belt. If you like christian music that is not corny, please give this band a try. TVB was a huge influence on The Smashing Pumpkins. Irony would have it, that one of TVB former guitarist is now apart of The Smashing Pumkins. The lyrics are far from offensive, infact very passionate. My favorite tracks are Humm, Already Gone, The Ends Begining and One Thousand Years.

Mike is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet; his music is a beautiful expression of his love for Christ and his heart for ministry.
TVB have been making great music for a long time, and Drop Dead is the latest offering from a wonderful group of musicians.
Buy it and get every CD in their catalog.
They even have a groovy website.

If you are not sure who TVB is, I was in the same boat! This was the first album I picked up and listened to, and they're great! Their music and Pritzl's voice are amazing! They're are a lot of upbeat and also slower songs. At first I was unsure because the music is different, but I gave them a chance and I love it! Because of this album, I bought many of their other albums. If interested, I recommend Demonstraits Plastic and Elastic, and also This is the Moment.

Yet another great release from Michael Pritzl and The Violet Burning. This band has put some out some of the best music that nobody has heard of and this newest one is no exception. Drop Dead is an instant classic along side of Chosen and Strength, the songs are addictive and mesmerizing and while this isn't a concept album, the songs seem to flow and there isn't really a weak track on here, in my opinion. If you get a chance to catch Michael Pritzl or the Roe VS. Pritzl tour with Mike Roe from the 77s, do yourself a favor and do what you can to go see them, you will not be disappointed.

If you haven't heard the Violet Burning, you need to do yourself a favor and get listening. Mike Pritzl is one of the pioneers of alternative music (CCM or secular) and is still making great music.

I bought this cd almost as soon as it came out. I must say, I was quite pleased. It is a nice rock but it is not to the point where it becomes metal. I would classify it as a soft rock. Sometimes you can notice you're fading out of the songs a little bit, but overall I think it is a great cd and is good for all ages.

This album is proof-positive that bands (or solo musicians, in Michael Pritzl's case) should take time off to find inspiration for their music between releases. Pritzl did this for earlier releases like the self-titled album and plastic/elastic - of course, he also had a good band at the time with pricket and others. Not only does this band NOT sound like the cure or any of the other 80's bands northern records mentions, but the songs all sound like rejects from michael's boring drum-machine gravity show effort (some of them even sounding just like those previous songs). I have to say that, as a fan since the inception of the band with their "chosen" release, this was by far, the least impressive album which sounds like it very little time to put together. The 80's are gone and we don't need more albums that sound 80's due to a lack of new ideas. It has been 13 years since chosen and there have been a few stellar albums, but it may be the time for michael to find something new to do if this is what future releases will be like. The worst thing for me was the U2 rip-off for the last song. The Joshua Tree was a great album, but let's not recreate that either. In a word, disappointing.