Last Fair Deal Gone Down

Katatonia | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: January 1, 2001
• Label: Snapper Music
• Copyright: (c) 2001 Peaceville Records
• Total Length: 50:40
• Genres: Hard Rock & Metal/Alternative Metal
• ASIN: B000R01D8Q
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those depressed, August 10, 2004

By 

M. Kieswetter - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Last Fair Deal Gone Down (Audio CD)

This is one of those albums that has always been at the top of my list since it came out two or three years ago. Katatonia appeals to fans of Opeth, though I find them totally different. They're both really good in the melody department, but Katatonia is quite a bit simpler, and doesn't lean toward extreme metal like Opeth does.

Katatonia's album previous to this, Tonight's Decision (another great one), was more stripped down. It's sound was heavy, and you can tell they were using simple power chords for the most part. Here, though, the sound is big and airy. If you didn't know they were a metal band, you might not pick up that it's a metal album. Don't get me wrong, it is still doomy and heavy, but again, in a kind of weird, airy way.

The heaviness is most evident in the lyrics and the overall mood of the album. Goes well with Amorphis, Anathema, Tool, and Opeth's Damnation album. If this "heavy in mood" music appeals to you, I recommend you check out Dead Can Dance's "Spleen and Ideal" and "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun," along with the first couple Cocteau Twins albums.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best. Album. Ever., November 17, 2001

By 

Kerry Ledbetter "kerryzmatic" (Silvis, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Last Fair Deal Gone Down (Audio CD)

I've listened to this album to the point where the 'catchiness' has completely worn off and I'm left with nothing but a total fascination that any handful of people could create something so deeply emotive with such stunning musicianship. I've listened to this album all the way through more than eighty times so far. I can't say I've listened to ANY CD in my collection for anywhere close to that. This is what music is all about.

Every song is excellent. Not only that, but the flow of the album is perfect. You can't help but go from one song to the next. You just can't skip any song. Few bands know how to create a perfect flow on an album and fewer still have the humility enough to throw out perfectly good material just because those songs couldn't keep the right flow to the album - and if you've heard the two songs on the Teargas EP, you'll know that they threw out some excellent songs.

I have tried, but cannot categorize this album. It seems to draw on traditional rock music while adding the best elements of newer rock. Their songs seem totally familiar and catchy, while still seeming totally ground breaking and fresh. The melodies are beautiful, but left-of-center with their off key touches at just the right places to create very vivid emotions. You almost won't notice it, but you will feel it. They are as heavy and oppressive as many metal bands, but strangely, they don't seem at all metal. I could swear they're on the verge of inventing a new style of music.

This should be in every music lover's collection. Peaceville placed a sticker on the front of the digipack that proclaimed it "the best Peaceville album ever" and I don't think it says enough. It is simply the best album I've ever heard.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thick with atmosphere and melancholy, July 19, 2006

By 

Murat Batmaz (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Fair Deal Gone Down (Audio CD)

It is highly likely that the title for this album may have been inspired by a song of blues god Robert Johnson who provided endless inspiration to early rock icons, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton. Though musically Last Fair Deal Gone Down bears little to no resemblance to Johnson, the Katatonia guys have always been interested in blues, particularly during their stoner rock period. A prime example of the genre, Last Fair Deal Gone Down not only marks the breakthrough of Katatonia, but it is also arguably their most important release post-Brave Murder Day. Blending the band's melancholic roots with their new-found interest in modern darkness, the album is also the first disc the band produced by themselves.

Upon its release, Last Fair Deal Gone Down was Katatonia's thickest and most layered work to date. It would be safe to say this is the album where Katatonia found their true self. Vocalist Jonas Renkse provides his finest vocal performance, delivering the depressing lyrics convincingly and making the listener believe. Guitarist Nystrom opts for a wider scope of songwriting, unafraid to delve into all kinds of genres, from rock to pop to progressive. Gone are the band's earlier doom metal leanings; this disc sees the band turning their face to other inspirations, including the Cure, Tool, and even Porcupine Tree. The album was originally intended for a Steven Wilson signature production; however, Renkse and Nystrom later decided to handle the work on their own with stunning results. That said, there are still some subtle Porcupine Tree-like moments on the album, such as "Chrome" and the epic "The Future of Speech", both featuring processed vocals alternating between Renkse's more direct and clean delivery. The songs are filled with airy Mellotron sounds floating above the central instruments, most of which are a combination of delicate acoustic guitars, prominent bass, and contrasts between slow and heavy choruses.

From a melody point of view, again Last Fair Deal Gone Down boasts excellent harmonies, both produced through Nystrom and Norrman's guitar work and Renkse's awe-inspiring harmonies. This is always carefully supplemented by a rhythm-conscious drum and bass hybrid. Never before was the bass employed as such a main instrument in Katatonia songs; "We Must Bury You" and "Clean Today" are defined by such bass and drum contribution that help thicken the moody soundscape. The vocals on "Clean Today" are particularly striking, brimming with confidence, whilst the echoic dual guitar harmonies constantly push the piece in unexpected directions.

The diverse nature of the album is most effective during the minor hit "Teargas", a perfect representative of the new Katatonia sound, complete with varied vocal styles (again some Porcupine Tree vibe here), a cool acoustic build-up, terrific drum fills, excellent harmonies, and engaging waves of guitar sounds. It seems like a dangerous experiment, but Katatonia makes it work. On the more straightforward yet catchier front, "I Transpire" is basically Katatonia-style pop music, accentuated by quiet verse and really heavy chorus contrasts, with the vocals being amazing once again. On the effect-laden "Sweet Nurse", however, distinctive traces of the Cure can be heard with a memorable, easy-to-follow melodic pattern.

The first song "Dispossession" is actually the embodiment of all things Katatonia, blending their acoustics with ever-present drum beats, shimmering Mellotron effects, and a heavy guitar runout. The last track, on the other hand, "Don't Tell a Soul", not only closes the album on a depressing note, but it also signals similarities to Katatonia's earlier, bleak material, highlighting Renkse's lyrical standouts: ("When you have no one, no one can hurt you"). Renkse sounds a lot like Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt here, which should be no surprise considering Akerfeldt produced his vocals on the previous two albums. It's a grey song with Nystrom's melodies peeking through foggy guitar themes.

The reissue version of the album contains three bonus tracks, two of which were released as a single before the full album came out. Of these two, "Sulfur" ranks among the most powerful statements Katatonia have made, with mournful vocals, doubled acoustic guitars, and a slightly Scandinavian folk feel that would normally be attributed to bands like Opeth and Ulver. "March 4", the other track on the single, isn't quite in the same league, but would have made a better cut on the initial pressing than the somewhat mediocre "Passing Bird" whose lyrics fall rather short given Renkse's talents.

This is a digipack release with cardboard sleeve with fantastic artwork. As a matter of fact, Travis Smith, who is among the most popular cover artists in metal, has said more than once that this is his favourite work (along with Terria). Essential to all fans who are curious about the current Katatonia sound.