Four Wall Blackmail

Dead Poetic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 4, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Solid State Records
• ASIN: B000066SF6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,404 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nomenclature Of Emocore, January 2, 2003

By 

Troy (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Four Wall Blackmail (Audio CD)

"Bleed one more time for me. Cause my heart is filled with loneliness. And this world is filled with loneliness." This is a Solid State band? A hasty first impression of Dead Poetic would shadow another Dashboard Confessional clone. The sweaters, flowing hair, and soulful whines of frontman Brandon Rike seem to imply nothing more than, at best, a carbon copy of Thursday. However, a quick listen to their debut album, "Four Wall Blackmail", will negate all such accusations. Brandon's vocals tend to lean on the emo side of Sean Corbray (Embodyment) or Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw) rather than Chris Carrabba. Even more satisfying are his frequent departures into Dan Weyandt (Zao) territory by means of glass shattering screams to accompany his soulful cries of passion. Backing up Rike is a group of musicians who do not excel beyond comparison, but have a unity which crafts a sound that is exceptionally cordial. Any music fan would prefer a band that is able to write music as a whole, than several separate entities driving their ego's above the zeal of their music. Dead Poetic can slice through hardcore rants ("Corporate Enthusiast"), and cry for pity with unmatched remorse ("Bliss Tearing Eyes") with incredible fervor. Lyrically, Brandon surpasses every other emo frontman to date. His desperate cries pooled with murderous screams create the most emotional environment one man can create, and rightfully so. This amount of ardor can only befall a human through supernatural grace. Rike cries not for another human, but for a Being so beyond he, that nothing can be said but, "I can't forgive myself for all the things I've done. But you, you do." This kind of oxy-moronic, sorrowful class of thankfulness can only be initiated by a spotless Divinity of which few truly know. Remote are discoveries of groups of individuals with real emotions residing upon the only real foundation. Unlike their secular counterparts, these poets have confirmed that their spirits are far from dead.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i love it., June 2, 2004

By 

Elizabeth Creamer (Palm Harbor, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Four Wall Blackmail (Audio CD)

i started out just knowing the title track for this album. and i fell in love with it. i was in a slump and had discovered the dashboard and soco that wasnt all over the radio. i also stumbled apon Dead Poetic. i went to cornerstone in orlando this year and they were there. saw them live. and the rocked. truely. the lead singer has a passion that could not be outdone. and can still sing and scream. the entire energy for the band is also amazing.

if you are into this christian screamo buisness (like Dead Poetic) may i suggest Norma Jean (lots harder), Blindside (yes.. they are christian... and their pits are crazy),and Emery (more like DP only more screams...) that will turn you onto christian rock that isnt Third Day. Dont be afraid of the christian screamo and other rock that is emerging... it can still be "hardcore" believe me... i have the bruises to prove it!

biz.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Debut!, May 9, 2005

By 

RaY RaY Pine "Fan of All Music" (Philly) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Four Wall Blackmail (Audio CD)

Dead Poetic made its way onto the indie rock/emo scene with their 2002 debut Four Wall Blackmail which, at its best, is a solid blending of pop emo riffs with melodic hard rock sections, not quite hard enough to call it hardcore. Dead Poetic manage to hold onto a pop sensibility throughout the entire album while creating edgier sections that will have the hardcore kids swinging their fists("The Corporate Enthusiast") and beautiful atmospheric sections ("A Green Desire") that will have the emo kids holding each other.

Some of the songs sound like they could have been written by The Juliana Theory or at least exhibit a lot of influence from them. "Bliss Tearing Eyes", while an excellent song, sounds like it could be a cut from _Understand This is a Dream_. As an avid listener of music though, I understand that this is a debut album and the band is growing.

While the album has no major weaknesses, every song isn't up to the standards of the title track or "Tell Myself Goodbye", which blends the catchiness of radio rock with the classic screams of almost every band on the soildstate label.

If you're looking for a band that is creating completely original music, Dead Poetic aren't there yet. If you're looking for a band that does the simple things right, creates a sound using a tested method, and has their feet placed firmly on the ground when it comes to song construction, look no further.

Make sure you check out _New Medicines_, Dead Poetics follow-up which is a great album!