Customer Reviews

Last Fair Deal Gone Down

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Katatonia started taking a new direction of sound with the release of Discouraged Ones. In my review of that album, I had a hard time pinpointing what I liked about it and where it failed, but there were definately some things going on in that recording that I really liked. With this album, Katatonia really capitalized on the strengths of their newest style of sound. Once again, though, I find it hard to pin down exactly why, but I listen to them frequently, and though their music is relatively simple and even repetitive, I never tire of it. Heavy, droning guitar riffs overlaid with ghostly guitar solos and dreary yet melodic clean vocal melodies somehow stick in my head all day after I listen to them. Even though it's a riduculously easy musical formula, Katatonia have really made this sound their own. The vocals are much improved over "Discouraged.."; man, this guy sounds so freakin' depressed! Every note sounds like he's singing at his mom's funeral or something; lonely, anxious, sad, painful. But all this gloom and doom is wrapped up in songs that I could dare to call "catchy". A couple songs, like "Teargas" and especially "Sweet Nurse" (my personal fav) sound almost radio worthy. I am reluctant to give this 5 stars only because it isn't terribly original or complex, and a couple songs are pretty bland. But don't let that stop form scoring this. It's worth it for all those other good songs.

I've been following Katatonia since the beginning and it seems like these guys are steadily progressing into a very emotional, in depth metal band...

With this release you see them taking "Tonight's Decision" one step further, the guitars aren't as distorted and up front as they used to be, but instead they have a very layered and texured feel to them, very mature and very contagious. The vocals are slightly different from "TD" they don't sound as much like the Cure anymore...The songwriting is brilliant and I must say that there isn't a bad song on the disk, lots of variety and great musicianship......This is a absolute must have.

These guys rule!!!

Well, let me start off by saying that this is Katatonia's best effort to date. If you're any kind of a Katatonia fan, or emotional rock fan, get this album. And listen to it. Religiously. Depending on where you come from, yes, this album may be a little inaccessible at first. If you're a seasoned fan of emotional rock or heavy metal, or if you're just an avid music fan and dive headlong into anything that you listen to, then you should have no problem getting into this album from the first listen. It's not as heavy and the mix isn't as dense as their previous work, or their latest offering, Viva Emptiness. Which I guess makes it prog rock. But it builds up more to the climaxes, and more intelligently, with breath-taking emotional guitar work. Erm... everything on this album is full of hopelessness and despair. It just envelopes and embodies this entire album... the atmosphere is unbelievable. Katatonia became a much more professional, polished act with this album. The vocals on their previous 2 efforts, Tonight's Decision and Discouraged Ones, seemed a bit more forced... he, er - wailed a bit more, if you will... almost whined. And the vocals throughout this entire album seem effortless, but are more hollow and thoroughly depressing than anything else I've heard previously or since. Perhaps reflecting changes in their lives as well. :\ But he truly sounds like a man who's on his last stand. Though I'll let you listen to the album and find out for yourself.

Katatonia is another band who has transcended from one genre of music into an entirely different one, and as with many other bands who go through this maturing process, it's been for the better. If you listened to Brave Murder Day and then this album, you wouldn't believe it was the same band. Whereas Brave Murder Day was pretty much straight up death metal, and not all that intense or talented at that, Last Fair Deal Gone Down is moody, melodic, tragic, and most of all, mellow rock/metal with strictly clean vocals. Considering that many lovers of extreme metal in any of its forms are very closed minded, some people might not like this, but if you can appreciate well, written music that just plain sounds good, this is a great investment for you. Sweet Nurse, Passing Bird, and the opening track, Dispossession are my favorites on this cd, but unlike many albums, there arent any bad songs on this one. You can play it straight through and enjoy every minute of it. Buy this now.

Katatonia have a new metal sound (2004)/ last fair deal gone down is my FIRST favorite katatonias album.
this is an excellent album , heavy and melancholy with great melodies AND amotion/

in my opinion their best album/ This album is realy good in almost every aspect , Jonas' vocals and this band are giving us realy rare atmosphere that giving this excellent album the 5 stars/ modernistic with new atmosphere that give this album the added value we need from time to time in our music/ BUT if you bought "last fair deal gone down" (with the extra tracks at 2004 ) there is no need to buy it again( be aware - this version is nearly the same album as we got at 2004 / in the past you got one disk with the extra tracks in the same cd but now you get the same tracks in 2 cd's with one more bonus track ,only ,in disk 2 - you didnt got in the past /be aware this is not the same art on the cover - but nearly the same album)

thanks
TAL

I'm not much of a reviewer so i'll keep it simple. This is by far one of my favorite albums. It has just the right mix of musical elements. It's not has heavy as later efforts however the song writing on this album is by far the best. Highlights for me on the album are "We Must Bury You" which feels a little out of place on this album and "Sweet Nurse". Buy It.

I started Katatonia with "Viva Emptiness," and hopped around until I come to one of the only two albums of theirs I didn't have. "Viva Emptiness" is an album that gave me everything I never thought could be missing in the general blurry categories of rock and metal. But more than anything, in terms of poetic imagery, no band is as dark. (Time and again when I review these guys I always go back to the song 'Criminals' from "Viva Emptiness.")

This album really caught me off guard. I admit, I didn't much like it at first; it was much better than 'Discouraged Ones,' but didn't really have any continuity; "Viva Emptiness," and "The Great Cold Distance" have a general theme and flow that emerges as you listen to the albums. This one was much more a collection of songs, and you can tell they were still fine-tuning their direction... they hadn't quite figured it out yet; mainly that there's one thing they've done consistently over the most recent albums: they've found a general mood and are able to entrance you for the duration of the album. "Last Fair Deal Gone Down," does not manage this, but the experience gets carried through by two of the best songs they've penned.

A notable experiment is the song 'We Must Bury You,' and I can almost imagine that they cut this song in the studio, thought they might drop it because in general it is bright and almost happy... and then Renske decides to turn it into a murder. A happy murder, he almost happily sings "We must bury you so deep that no one will ever find you." Juxtaposing this violent imagery against the backdrop of music that borders on contemporary rock is a jarring experience. If you have an impish impulse, introduce Katatonia to a friend with that song.

The highlight for me, are the songs 'Dispossesion' and 'Teargas.' Sonically they are more like anything you'll hear on "The Great Cold Distance." Teargas as other reviewers have commented is a formulaic song... but it took me back 10-12 years as it discussed rejection from a male point of view;
"what is it in my eyes
a piece of broken glass?
is this the time I should be on my knees for you?
is this your way of telling
another has been found?
now I know,
it's teargas in my eyes."

This song conjures all the best moments of Katatonia's switch from death to doom metal, poetically condenses one of the worst feelings we can experience in life, and is worth the price of ownership alone.