Customer Reviews

Vices

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

 

 

Four Wall Blackmail put this band on the map. Their invigorating blend of post-hardcore and Thursday worship was perfectly timed. New Medicines catapulted this band to the top of the new wave screamo genre. The maturation of their earlier sound combined with a more refined songwriting ability allowed the band to create an undeniably forceful release. Vices will be the album that paints a picture of a band persevering through adversity and coming out on the other side stronger than ever before. This album, without a doubt, shows the band coming together to create their most mature release to date and, at the same time, shows that they're not concerned with riding along on the wave of the popular genre of the day.

Strip away what you previously knew about this band. This isn't a screamo release. This isn't a scene-centric CD. This isn't a cliché ridden album. This isn't like their last two efforts. What this album is, is a straight ahead, solid, rock record. I'm sure that to many fans this is the worst news in the world, but to those of you can look beyond a band's looks and past, those of you who simply enjoy good music, this is as solid of a release as you will find in the rock arena.

The biggest change that people will notice is the lack of screaming. This really shouldn't feel like that big of a change, however, as it is easy to see the natural progression of the band from their inception to the current day in regards to this piece of the band. Their first record was raw and emotional, with a moderately heavy focus on screaming. Their sophomore effort had considerably less screaming as the focus was more on using it to augment passages of songs as opposed to being the focal point, with there even being a couple of songs that were found on New Medicines sans screaming. With the complete removal of screaming, the band is now able to focus more on creating cohesive songs that have more musical depth. Besides, Brandon Rike has one of the more infectious and striking voices in modern rock, so why take away from his vocals by overlaying them with extraneous yelling?

Musically, there is a stronger consistency in the songs on this album. Whereas in the past there was a strong distinction between the band's softer, intricate moments and their heavier, quicker songs, Vices has a smooth consistency that is rarely broken. Yes, there are definitely slower and quicker songs, but the flow between them feels natural. The only slight misstep the band may have taken is overloading the second half of the disc with slower numbers. Within the first seven songs there is only one down tempo number, "In Coma", whereas in the second half you have "Paralytic", "Animals", and "Copy of a Copy" sporting slower and more mellowed tempos.

One criticism that is sure to crop up is the length of the album at 50 minutes over the 14 tracks laid down. Really, this isn't much of a criticism as there are no wasted tracks, no boring interludes, and no true filler. Each song differs enough from any other on the album, as well as explores different territory than the band's past releases, that you don't get the feeling of being bored.

Once you dig into the release, you'll see that the band has managed to soar beyond the expectations set upon them. Take, for example, what could be argued as being the best track on the CD -- "In Coma". Taking on a slower pace with guitar tones similar to previous songs "Glass in the Trees" and "The Dream Club Murders", the band creates an introspective verse structure that leads into an emotional and strong chorus, yet tender enough to not feel like it was forced. All the while Rike croons what is some of his most mature and deep lyrics to date. It's great to see Rike able to create as open and creative lyrics as he does because when all the vocals are sung, you can't disguise bad lyrics by simply yelling them incomprehensibly.

The majority of the heavier rocking tracks on this release sees a lot of modern alternative rock influence, most notably a nod to mid-career Blindside, Obsession era Eighteen Visions, and late career Deftones mixed with the late 90's rock appeal of bands like Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam. The band doesn't so much sound like the latter two groups, but the structuring of the songs and the straight forward nature of the tracks hearkens back to such bands, if only they were given a modern facelift.

Notice should also be given to the guest appearance by Chino Moreno of Deftones fame on the track "Paralytic". This is another strong song and the addition of Chino's backing vocals helps to give it that extra punch, even though the song is one of the more melodic tracks, sounding very close in feeling to something out of A Perfect Circle's catalog.

When all is said and done, this is Dead Poetic at their best. This album is not going to be what you expect if you go into it with any pre-conceived notions of what to expect. There are still elements of their sound present, but they've grown up and walked down their own path instead of following in the footsteps of what's currently trendy and popular. Classic rock, modern rock, hard rock, melodic rock, whatever you want to subclass it as, the only thing you really need to know is that this is at its core just wonderful rock music. Period.

Dead Poetic's third studio release, "Vices", is nothing short of fantastic. It's been a long time in production (and I've been a long time in waiting) and I must say, as a Dead Poetic fan, I am more than satisfied.

Now, if you follow Dead Poetic's recoded history, one notices that each album is unlike the last -- each bringing forth it's own dimension of originality with a "raw rawk" taste. "Vices" is no exception. Although a slightly more commercial than their latest releases, this new album is sure to have you singing along and drumming on the steering wheel (or thigh, depending on where you are). Songs like "Narcotic" and "Lioness" are more on the edgier side, while "In Coma" tends more to the "emo-esque" side. The band said themselves that they don't consider their music any one genre and, true to their word, Dead Poetic can only be compared with Dead Poetic.

Musically, "Vices" is a fantastic mixture of power and melody. I do believe that, without the extensive screaming (encountered in "Four Wall Blackmail" and lessened in "New Medicines") Dead Poetic will see an increase in their fan base (my wife, for example) -- while still edgy enough to maintain their older fans (like me). Lyrically, they've always been, well, poetic (pardon the cliché) and innovative. Speaking to problems that are heart-spawned, "Vices" is surely to catch your ear and your wit.

So, basically, you have an awesome album made by a fantastic band. This is an album no one should deny themselves.

With all the internal problems this band has been dealing with over the last couple years (there was even a time when they were going to call it quits), it's surprising that "Vices" ever made it's way to our hands. While "Vices" might be somewhat of a departure from their screamo-tinged past releases "Four Wall Blackmail" and "New Medicines," the catchiness of this record and its songs is undeniable. You'd be hard pressed to find any cliche screaming or metalcore breakdowns this time around. Dead Poetic have released a great ROCK record. Fitting since after all they are a ROCK band.

"Vices" may not seem as outwardly heavy as its predecessors upon first listen, but go back and check tracks like "Lioness" and "Narkotic" again. Who said there had to be screaming for a song to be heavy? Dead Poetic brings this "melodic-heavy" style to the forefront of their music. This means Brandon is the center of the sound, constantly laying lush vocals over the music. There's a chorus in almost every one of these songs that will probably get stuck in your head for a while. Pieces like "Coma," and "Paralytic" are prime examples of how DP can work impressive dynamics, taking a song from a calm beginning to a gigantic sounding chorus. Brandon attacks different things lyrically this time around (Human Nature, Despair, Self-Destruction) and it's great to see these guys trying to create songs which are not only incredibly catchy, but carry some weight.

The only downside of the disc is that at 14 tracks, it's kind of long. This also means there are a few clunkers strung throughout. "Animals" is more or less a worthless interlude with a few vocals spread throughout. "Pretty, Pretty", and "The Victim" while having their moments, feel like fairly uninspired/unappealing songs that were used as filler. The disc runs 50 minutes, which depending on your taste might be exactly right, or a bit too long. There's also a disappointment that the band has ditched most of their screamed parts and abrasive edges (this means the even heavier moments) everywhere on the album. Now while I can still listen to the disc, and I actually am quite pleased with it, the style they experimented with on "New Medicines" and "Four Wall Blackmail" was very appealing. This record basically sounds like if "New Medicines" eliminated all the screaming and jagged edges. Basically meaning more accessible and safer (they take no chances) album.

Though in the end, I'm very happy with "Vices." When I first got a hold of this record, I really didn't like it. It just seemed like standard radio-rock material to me. You might feel the same way after your first listen. But a few more times in your car stereo will probably give you much more appreciation for the band and what they have made with this album. Considering all the adversity and most of the music world sounding exactly the same at the moment, "Vices" seems very suitable for its time. It's not the best record from the band's catalogue, but it could have been a lot worse. If you enjoy good hard rock music that has great vocals and solid musicianship, then "Vices" is the record you need to get.

This is my favorite Dead Poetic CD. For me this actually beat out the first. I'm a horrible reviewer but I think if you like Dead Poetic already don't be so hard on it and give it a go. I know it's different than the other two but so what? Anyways I hope the singer is working on the next cd now or soon. I remember reading he has 1 or 2 left in his contract. Hopefully he doesn't force it out like this one and makes it like he does and not the fans. If he does what he likes we get incredible cd's like this one.

Dead Poetic has some really good songs but they are pretty dam poppy for me. Im not really into radio rock but I have expanded my tolerance recently but these guys still push the limit of what I can take at times. I would say that this cd is worth the purchase but overall its not one of my favorites.

This CD shows that Dead Poetic is improving with each CD. It took me at least ten listens to this CD to come up with a clear cut favorite - "Long Forgotten" but with songs like "Cannibal vs. Cunning, Lioness, Self-Destruct and Die (my son's favorite), Narcotic", and "The Victim" it was a hard choice for me. I can listen to this CD over and over and never get tired of it.

I love Dead Poetic's first two albums, so much that I consider the band to be my fourth favorite band (Foo Fighters, Blindside, Dredg are 1-3). But I find it hard to believe that this was the best the band could possibly do on this album. My actual overall rating would be 3.5 out of 5 stars, with the possibility to move up after I've given the album 10+ spins.

Breakdown:

Track 1: 3/5
Track 2: 4/5
Track 3: 5/5
Track 4: 4/5
Track 5: 5/5
Track 6: 2/5
Track 7: 3/5
Track 8: 4/5
Track 9: 3/5
Track 10: 5/5
Track 11: 0/5
Track 12: 3/5
Track 13: 3/5
Track 14: 4/5

Top 3: Self-Destruct & Die, In Coma, and Paralytic (gorgeous)

In my opinion, this was a step back for the band, because I loved EVERY song off the previous two albums (no joke).