Customer Reviews

Theory of a Deadman

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

TOAD (don't we all love that acronym) is a great album. Yes, Chad Kroeger co-wrote, signed, produced, hell probably even gave them backrubs to get this cd out in the market. Oh well. What Kroeger failed to realize is that the band is better than his Nickelback. I'm a big Nickelback fan, but I believe that Tyler Connolly has a better "Nickelbackesque" voice. If the two switched bands. Nickelback would be off the charts. As a result TOAD makes it in on their own.

The album starts off w/ the infectuous "Invisible Man." This song is a great first song to put on an album. It's not too long, or too short, and is pretty much the standard for the rest of the album. "Nothing Comes Between Us", the first single, is a good song, but not the best. However, this song is fit to be a single. It has a good chorus and great guitar riffs. Connolly puts some punch in this song. The second single, "Make Up Your Mind" is sort of like a power ballad for the 00's. (Can I say 00's??) But anyway, it isn't too soft, but yet has a subtle sound to it that provides excellent admission in the power ballad category.

"Point to Prove" is quite frankly in my opinion the best song on the album. This song is so good, and so well sung and played that it ranks as one of my favorite songs ever! The song starts out w/ an incredible guitar solo that can't help be unnoticed. About 15 seconds. Suddenly Connolly begins a series of lines that are the backbone of the song which end in the long held and loud last word. The chorus erupts into a pop/rock/catchy riff that is fun to sing to any day or night. This pattern goes on for 2 min until a slight pause/guitar solo, before it catches back up into another set of beautifully sung lines, and another chorus before it ends at about 3min and 30secs (a perfect time for songs) This song is so good it deserves it's own paragraph.

"Leg To Stand On" sort of cools off from the previous song, and is a good rock song. It's more as a filler than anything, still good. Song #6, "What You Deserve" is another "LTSO", but it has a slightly better chorus and better guitars. "Last Song" is more like "Make Up Your Mind". Somewhat lighter and on the pedastal of a power ballad. In my opinion it's a way better power ballad, and shows Connolly at his best. It's probably my 2nd fav behind "PTP".

"Say I'm Sorry", my 3rd fave is another "power ballad". I keep mentioning that b/c some of the songs on this album are power ballads. The only thing that keeps this album from too soft is that it personifies it's "power" into other songs, or else it would be just a ballad album.

#9, "Any Other Way" is an uptempo, fast paced, crazed 3min 44secs of pure rock. This is what a rock song is supposed to sound like. The album ends w/ "Confession". For some reason I don't think this really fits the role of a "last song" for an album. Maybe they should've put another song on it. However, "Confession" is still a good song. It's not the best, and seems kinda sluggish at times, but geez, what more can you ask from TOAD???

Overall, get this cd if you like Nickelback, Default, Trapt, Creed, The Calling, Silverchair, Days of the New, Mesh Stl, Seven Mary Three, Three Doors Down, or even Stone Temple Pilots.

I heard and saw these guys just a few days ago at their last show with Shinedown. It takes a lot for a live performance to get my hooked into a band (usually the instruments are louder than the singers...makes it hard to hear vocals) but these guys know what they're doing. From hard drivings songs like Invisible Man to the mellow Last Song, they've got a well rounded sound.

And as for the fact that Chad helped them out with a lot of their stuff....key work is COwrote people. Chad didn't do everything for them, he just helped them out. Yes they do have elements that sound like Nickelback. They also have their own sound, and are terricfic performers on stage.

I recommend it.

Can't we just stop comparing bands to Creed and Pearl Jam. This is getting really old. Sure, Tyler's voice sounds similar to the bands mentioned, and of course Chad Kroeger. But if you listen closely, you can find certain differences in vocals. And I'm not going to tell you these differences, wise up, and figure them out for yourself. "Nothing Could Come Between Us" was a GREAT display for a debut. I had no idea that Chad produced these guys, or that they were from Canada. Of course, if Chad produces anyone, they probably are from Canada. This album has an interesting southern rock tone to it. Similar to Georgia natives doubleDrive. I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite single off the album, but if I were to choose, I would have to say "Point To Prove." Tim Hart's drums sound like THUNDER; and great harmonies too, not just on this song but the entire album. I don't know how many people know this but Tim is also the background vocalist. Being a drummer myself, back up vocals can be very tough to do. Let's give some credit where credit is due.
Once again, hard rockin' album with a southern accent. And with GUITAR SOLOS, something rock has been missing for a while. GREAT record!

Amazing band... Has a diffrent sound and isn't generic. Tyler Connelly has an oustanding voice!

I have had a hard time trying to come up with an unbiased review of this cd. Having known the band members for years, before they were even Theory of a Deadman, it's hard to criticize. And I'm glad that I don't have to. The only thing wrong with this cd is that it is too short. Tyler might be the most talented musician out there today, and the support of Dean, Dave and Tim make Theory one of the greatest bands out there. All four of these guys are extrememly talented, and it's been a privilege and a pleasure to see their growth over the years. I have found that music has somewhat lacked in the past few years and this band, although often compared to Nickelback, has offered a refreshing and crisp rock sound. This is only the tip of the iceberg for theses guys, so watch for them.

I have to say that I was sold on TOAD from their live show. Saw them twice, once in Kansas City w/3 Doors Down and once in Phoenix and they are a solid live band. Singer Tyler has a good stage presence and a very smoky singing voice. Yes, they have the Nickelback mark all over them but I can't write them off because of that. Will be interesting to see how they do when they start going off into their own. First 4 songs on the disc are great!

theory of a dead man make decent alternative rock with blues elemnts. While these guys are better then chad kroeggers nickleback (cowritter) it is undeniable the lack of originality and as well as the deriativety. It ends up being typically mainstream but i guess its solid in those terms.

Attitude, hooks, and a healthy dose of bluesy guitar riffs add up to make this a classic, "must have" CD. Offering an assortment of straight ahead, in your face rock sounds such as "Invisible Man" (originally offered on the Spiderman soundtrack) as well as three ballads, the first release of Vancouver based Theory of a Deadman presents a complete package.

Rocker and first single "Nothing Could Come Between Us" offers up bluesy content with some excellent guitar work by lead singer and guitarist Tyler Connelly that sets the tone for much of the CD. "Make Up Your Mind", co-written by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback fame, is fairly predictable, however excellent vocals and appealing guitar work add a level of maturity often not found on debut work.

Perhaps one of the most interesting cuts is the haunting melody and lyrics of "Last Song", which intersperse strings and acoustic guitar with a chunky, Metallica sounding electric guitar and smooth vocal harmonies. This schizophrenic mix works to create one of the most memorable and outstanding songs in the band's repertoire.

The only disappointment to this CD is that there are only ten songs, and you'll be left wanting more.

Despite the fact that they've been labelled so many times as "pop-rock" I think that Theory of a Deadman are great and easy to listen to.

I have seen this band personally, and they are the best band live ever. They are just full edge rockin and their heavy guitars bring the place down. The cd is well recorded and the lyrics are the best part, they make each song incredible. Connolly has been writing these songs all his life so these songs are well thought through. They do sound like nickelback, but thats jus one more reason to buy this cd. Two of the best bands ever. Kroeger himseld said Connolly is the best guitarist he's heard in awhile, even admitted better then him. So even though there isnt too much solo's on this cd, he is incredible in person and when i saw him live he makes playing guitar look so easy. I actually got to meet Tyler at the concert and hes a bad mother. OVerall this cd is top notch and the southern riffs are catchy and worth every penny.