#new deadman album lol not sure if want

[naorende]

[cjostrander]

Theory of a Deadman: Wake Up Call

Hello everyone; I’ve noticed on the last couple reviews i have been venturing on a more mellow string of albums and figured for a new album; i would continue something a bit risky before returning to more aggressive work. I was deciding between this album and The Killers’s Wonderful Wonderful album. The Killers seem to be making a good splash on their own so i will do this album today in the hopes of providing you with something more out of the ordinary. This album like i said on my last review (Social Distortion’s Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell) features the band experimenting with a pop rock sound. It is not an attempt at selling out a more commercial sound and is instead an album written based on singer Tyler Connolly learning to play the piano. This naturally will change up his writing style and incorporate more poppy elements as a result. Keep an open mind because after the first song it actually pulls itself together quite well with a focus on being a vocal dominant album. Hope this one catches some curiosity from you guys. I also figured the inclusion of a more poppy album would be a good one to help strengthen the section of my blog which as you can guess is very small for my tastes lol.

Straight Jacket: This opening track begins with a catchy key opening but a slightly annoying vocal opening from Tyler. It seems like vocally he is trying to emulate Twenty One Pilots with a quicker rap-like delivery. It gradually grows rather catchy and the lyrics develop a high degree of substance; which more than makes up for the bumpy vocal opening. The chorus makes effective use of the layered guitars and steady drum support. The keys will remain the key instrumental focus and give it a very solid pop foundation which would be perfect for a mainstream audience. I actually do like how he changed up his delivery because it contains the listener’s attention and is a big change up for him from his regular Nickel-bite days. This change up is probably going to be what makes the keys come across as strong as they do and avoid the risk of losing momentum over the course of the song. It is going to be a shock-track when you first hear it and will surely make you say “wtf!” in your head; but as you venture through the album it will start to grow on you. Another positive element about this sound is that it helps the band to transition from being slightly above generic rock and could potentially stand out as a big pop-rock group similar to Twenty One Pilots. Keep and open mind and you will view the potential for them. 8.5/10

Rx (Medicate) (Single): So far this is the lead single for the album and appears to have already garnered them some success for this sound. It returns a little of that gritty country influence into the opening with its whistling and acoustic riffs; then combines it with an electronic sounding drum loop. Tyler utilizes his southern sounding vocal style to further mess his country side with this developing pop side. His vocals will retain a high degree of focus throughout the song and his lyrics are full of substance for the listener to soak into. The quick delivery at moments will help to keep things moving along at a decent pacing; which acts as a good foil to the slow moving instrumentals. These instrumentals will do well to establish a relaxing atmosphere for the listener to unwind to after a rough day at work; or to wake up to early in the morning. I could see the live potential for this one rather easily and with its modest country roots; it could potentially serve as a good bridge track for fans to ease into their pop side. It would also likely mess easier with their older material (not really early) and not sound too off the beaten path. As a single it benefits from these elements and will do a fair job of introducing this sound to their current fan base; while easily offering themselves up to newer ones. 8/10

Echoes: Drums start this up with a very soothing tone and when the keys join with Tyler it obtains a blissful atmosphere that reminds me heavily of Maroon 5 to an extent. Tyler’s vocals do very well during the chorus and infuse it with a high degree of power that would be a perfect choice for a single. These vocals are a nice surprise form him and do well to give a romantic setting for the listener to play during a date night with his girlfriend. It does very well at setting the mood and i guarantee she will like it. This will come off as a highlight track and will do a very good job of convincing their fans that this sound (even if they don’t like the change) is not badly done. It continues to justify this enormous risk that the band is taking on this album and for that; i really have to give them props. If it was falling flat; you guys know i would give them respectful shit all the way; but it’s a real surprise at how natural this album actually sounds from them. I have a pretty good feeling if this album attracts heavy success for them; then they will keep the pop emphasis with maybe more their country rock elements brought in. 9/10

Wake Up Call: Synths start this one up before the keys lightly chime their way in for Tyler. He opens up with a soft but serious tone full of despairing emotion. The listener will be able to connect easily with this emotion and when the chorus comes it will cheer things up a hair. The lyrics are simple but Tyler manages to give them a good delivery that allows for their substance to shine through for the listener to appreciate. This is definitely a softer track which will help to keep the album flowing at an ambitious yet relaxing note. It will go by pretty smoothly and is very likely to be another single if they want to showcase their slow pop-ballad side. That would be a smart move commercially since it’s another song from this album that would be able to immediately fit in with the best in the genre. 8.5/10

PCH: Keys begin this one on a slightly more lively note and whistles provide Tyler with a nice change up for him to warm his vocals up with. The soft drum taps and acoustic riffs will do well to add a little more rock edge to it and a slight Spanish guitar flair during the chorus. The chorus does feel a tad familiar with the earlier tracks but still retains a soothing atmosphere that Tyler’s steady delivery fits on rather smoothly. The lyrics aren’t bad but do need a little more lift from Tyler in order to really capture the listener’s attention and not come off as a standard pop song. 7/10

G.O.A.T.: This middle track begins with a tension building vocal opening and softly blissful hums to warm up. Tyler sings with this modest instrumental support and establishes a remarkable degree of substance from his lyrics. This will do very well to make this an emotionally cheerful song for the listener to really grab onto. The chorus is a highlight moment due to its ability to keep the song full of life; while it continues to up the ante in terms of instrumentals. It brings in strings to fill the background a bit and does a remarkable instrumentally at feeling full of life and strength; despite being such a simple structure. The strings at the end add in a further sense of beauty that Tyler uses to refresh a bit before using the chorus to end the first half of the album on a highly strong note. Just when you think the album is about to venture into generic pop territory; you reach this song and it blows your mind. This should be another single for the album due to its commercial appeal and overall strength as a song. If you haven’t felt that the band was fully comfortable with their sound by now then this one will surely convince you. I can easily note this as a personal favorite of mine so far. 10/10

Loner: The vocal starts off loud and dominant over a soft bass line; blissful acoustic riff; and a steady drum beat. Tyler’s lyrics float along neatly with a good deal of bliss. The chorus will provide a solid level of catchiness for the listener to sing along to during a live performance. The modest use of electronic touches continue to serve this song well due to its ability to provide that extra bit of texture for the listener to remain deeply engaged by. The strings make a triumphant return in the latter half which will give Tyler a brief break so that his presence doesn’t feel overbearing for the listener. I swear everyone of these tracks feel as if they could be the right one to close this album on a solid note. 9/10

Time Machine: Acoustic guitars start this one off to a nice note and Tyler’s soft vocals give it a very melancholy atmosphere. The chorus maintains this blissful tone and when the guitars bring more of their Spanish elements; the song takes on a very romantic feeling. This will further enhance this album as a perfect date pick for spicing up the mood with your girl. That element is a real nice perk for this album since it gives it a specific mindset for the listener when they decide whether they want to play it or not. That will help to motivate sales for the album and soothe the concerns that a long time fan may have about this album. It’s a pretty quick one; so if for some surprising reason you hate it; it won’t make you suffer for long ha ha. If you really aren’t liking it then i’d be surprised you made it past the first two tracks. 9/10

Glass Jaw: The vocals start off with a nice degree of fighting spirit over a synth rumble. The drums enter perfectly to give a rebellious foundation that will do very well during a live performance. The chorus makes use of more prominent guitars that actually remind me of Muse at times. The vocals continue to flow with a high degree of power and catchy substance; that will keep the listener engaged for a good while. I like how they give this one a little more life and take on an energizing direction at this point in the album. It further changes up your expectations of this album and the use of guitar solos really make me wonder whether Muse played some minor role in this songs creation. 9/10

Po Mouth: Audio effects start this one off and then Tyler opens up with some pop guitar riffs to give the song a beach like vibe. The lyrics still retain a nice degree of substance for the listener to follow along to. The chorus is and will likely engage the listener to the extent of wanting to sing along with it. I personally are a little put off by this style of pop rock from them but it’s lyrics do a very good job of making this one easy to sit through; and the guitar solo in the second half is a nice section to come across. I actually had to look up the meaning of Po Mouth; so this song helps if you want to get a little more schooled up on “ratchet speak” lol. 8.5/10

Wicked Game: This finale track begins with soft yet tense string opening. It softly builds when Tyler enters the mix with his deep yet calm vocals. They contain subtle elements of echo which resonate decently with the tone of the strings. The keys continue to give this song a sense of complex beauty that will surely be another nice surprise for the listener to come across. In the latter half of the song the drums enter to give the song a little extra rumble to float neatly along with. Personally i feel it could of used a little extra activity in the song since its a slow listen; but it succeeds in ending the album as it began; which is full of risk and experimentation. 7/10

Overall album rating: 8.5/10

Well; this album earns itself a solid B and easily ranks as the number 2 album for my Theory of a Deadman reviews. This album was a really nice surprise because simply describing the sound they were going for just wants to make you hate it off the bat and swear you will never listen to the band again. Instead the album is utterly remarkable and naturally skilled in how it came out. The band really gave this album a lot of thought and establishes some real potential for this band to be bigger than they have ever been. It breaks then well way from being generic and gives them potential to compete with the giant bands in this genre. I really suggest checking this one out because it is the most shocking success album i’ve come across this year and really deserves to get a strong level of success. I’m if they continue with this sound; it will gradually get weaker as they run out of ideas but like i said before; i really assume the next one is going to bring back more of their country rock vibe. My guess is it will be more country/pop assuming that this album does well for them. So far i’m really not seeing the back lash i expected their fans to give them. I hope you guys enjoy this review because i’m expecting my next couple albums to be a bit more similar in energy to this one. I’m planning on doing David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust album so i know i don’t forget it; and for a new album; it will likely either be The Killers; Liam Gallagher; or Marilyn Manson.

*Reviewer’s Pick*