Customer Reviews

Nolens Volens [Explicit]

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The Deadly Syndrome burst onto the scene as an energetic indie group known for stirring live shows and a penchant for a great melody. Their debut album, "The Ortolan", was a mix of catchy hooks and spirited choruses, with lengthy tracks that whizzed by on energy and charm.

With Nolens Volens, it's almost difficult to believe this is the same band. Instead of sounding like a group of fully charged musicions who are going to change the word with a few words and a hummable melody, The Deadly Syndrome now comes off as tired and wounded. Opening track "Villain" spells out the entire story of the album with the disaffected and surly line, "Why don't you go (expletive) off and die/Do you need anything?"

This is the sound of a band that has experienced the overhyped industry machine of indie blogs and flavor of the week tastemakers and wants nothing to do with it. So instead of churning out more barn-burners like "Emily Paints" and "Heart", more singalongs like "Eucalyptus", we get slow tours through a long, somber drive home and paeans to torturous boredom, the tracks langorous and almost lazy. The music here is earthier, more traditional, with a definite folk influence. The yelpy vocals from the debut are quietly crooned.

Despite this dramatic shift, the meticulous songcraft from their debut is still there. While this is certainly the sound of some jaded musicians, it is not the sound of defeated ones. The album does pay off, but it takes time, and the listener probably won't find themselves cranking up the stereo or iPod to jam quite the same way they did with "The Ortolan." But there is a depth to these songs, and a meaning, and a band that is willing to change, that is hungry to evolve, deserves credit for doing so. I'm sure they could have made a second Ortolan, and it would've been fine, but it would not have been as interesting.

With Nolens Volens, The Deadly Syndrome haven't fired a second volley of powerful, propulsive indie pop, but they have piqued my interest for where they're headed. It's not a great album, and only a few moments really stand out, but music fans who are willing to give an album a few spins before judging it should find this worth their time.

The Deadly Syndrome's second album, Nolens Volens is the recipient of a Pitchfork 7.7. Reviewer Ian Cohen wrote:

"LA band rebounds from falling off the hype machine with a more direct, foreboding, and ultimately better second LP."

LA music writer Kevin Bronson gives NV a "Highly Recommended" thumbs up. A thinking man's band, alternately wild and whimsical, their live shows are not to be missed. The stellar craftsmanship of Nolens Volens forges a journey that bends time; it's sort of like dropping acid without the lingering side effects. You really need a leisurely listen to appreciate the cinematic quality of the whole production. Reviewers who blow through panning for two-minute-thirty-second formula nuggets will miss the picture.