Released: May 14, 2010
Genre: Alternative Rock/ Progressive Rock
Label: Warner Music Australia
Number Of Tracks: 12
Dead Letter Circus are brilliant and this album truely showcases them as the next big thing in alternative rock.
This Is The Warning
Reviewed by:
eightshotring, on may 17, 2010 2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Before You criticise me, I am only a kid writting a review for a band I know everyone needs to hear.
Dead Letter Circus, a tight four piece alternative rock band from Brisbane Australia should be known about. They should be touring around the world. Why? I don't know, they are freaking awesome! With there latest release 'This Is The Warning' being released May 14th, who knows where it may take them?
With Dead Letter Circus's last E.P. blowing the Australian hard rock scene away, they were eagerly anticipating a follow up. Will it lead up to all expectations? It does, and looks set to catapult them into international fame.
Dead Letter Circus has a unique sound ranging from their fellow countrymen Karnivool to internationl Prog Rockers The Mars Volta. With Kim Benzie leading the charge with volta-esk vocals that absolutely blow away any volta or higher pitched alt rock singing fan. (Yes he can hit the notes I have seen them live)
There sound is almost progressive in that fact of the musical boundaries it breaks, yet sticks true to conventional song structures of chorus's and verses etc. The guitar sound that Rob Maric produces is incredible, never have I enjoyed that much delay in a band. But the use of it is just superb. Bassist Stewart Hill provides a steady foundation for the band, just like any bassist should and last but not least the stickman Luke Williams. Formaly my drum teacher I saw first hand just how $%^&ing amazing he is. Songs like 'The Drum' surely back up my words. 'Walk' Also shows off his talent.
The album boasts 12 tracks. Starting with the superb vocally impressive 'Here We Divide,' It's memorable chorus of 'Here open wide, What you wanted to see, You decide, Only One Step From.....' Showcases Benzie's range. 'One Step' is anthem like song putting instant pictures into your head of a sold out stadium full of people singing along. Well my head anyway.
'Big' could only be described as well, BIG. The song starts off with a delayed guitar riff before ripping into a bass drum friendly section that soon leads into a quieter vocally conscoius section building up to a truely epic chorus.
'The Space Of The Wall' is another smashing track with incredible lyrics and vocals 'Will you go home to the same room!'. Starting with a march type feel before bursting into another memorable riff. With Hill's bass really pumping this one along.
'This Long Hour' is a industrial inspired track that builds up for the first few minutes. This song for me was one of the weaker ones on the album, none the less still a strong track.
'Cage' was another one that I didn't like as much, but still I never skip it on the listen of the album. It just takes a while to get into. But once you are into it the song sort of breaks out of its 'cage.' ha ha ha.
'Reaction' is an amazing song, but already features on their 'Next In Line' ep. So I had already listened that one to death. None the less a great song with meaningful lyrics. The same goes for 'Next In Line.'
'The Drum' was a standout track for me off the album. Almost a tool-esk build up before it explodes into a fearful drum solo supported by fast guitar.
'The Design' is a new approach from DLC and a fairly experimental one at that. Something to surely check out.
'Walk' Is another drum tasty song that allows Williams to experiment around guitars and a huge vocal bridge.
'This Is Warning' could only be an album ender. It just leaves you wanting for more. The different time signitures throghout make this song even more progressive then others, but still staying true to a chorus bridge etc. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics arnt staggering, yet a definant inprovement over the first EP. I am still in the process of understanding all the lyrics, but what I have discovered so far has been amazing. The only problem with Benzie's voice I find is that it doesn't have a massive range, but it doesn't need to. It suits DLC's sound perfectly. Also sometimes when the singing goes really high at the same time as the guitars it almost gets lost in the song. // 8
Impression: Dead Letter Circus are brilliant and this album truely showcases them as the next big thing in alternative rock. Well I hope so. There was one fear that I had. It was that all there songs would sound the same on this album. They all sound unique and different in there own rights while still staying true to there own sound. Dead Letter Circus'The Is The Warning.' Go buy it now. And Support Australian Rock. It rules. Don't bag me out, I am only a child and this is my first review. // 10
This Is The Warning
Reviewed by:
MatasTeen, on november 30, 2011 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: "Delay-based guitar textures... Interlaced with subtle synth undercurrents, creating complex patterns out of a set of simple rhythms without cutting down on melody... Executed with a surgical precision that recalls the incarnation of Krautrock promoted by Maserati - while the sheer intensity brings to mind God Is An Astronaut more than My Chemical Romance." - Allmusic
Dead Letter Circus are a four-piece Australian progressive/alternative rock band. "This Is The Warning" is their first album released on a major label. They have been on top of Australian rock charts and opened for many mainstream acts such as Linkin Park and Muse and less famous yet musically groundbreaking acts such as Animals As Leaders. Influenced by the likes of Pearl Jam, Tool, Deftones, Radiohead, Massive Attack and Nine Inch Nails, the band showcase their influence by incorporating explosive choruses, surreal lyrics, impressive drumming and well-placed electronic touches to their sound, heard all too well in "This Is The Warning". Songs like "Cage" and "This Long Hour" are clearly very electronic inspired. Although the band can be easily associated with other bands their sound remains very distinct and recognizable. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are one of my favorite aspects on this album. They reach themes such as relationships in songs such as "One Step", surrealistic experiences in songs such as "The Drum" or personality changes in "Space On The Wall". The lyrics are timed and placed perfectly throughout the song and the vocal melodies match the music. The Vocalist Kim Benzie has a singing style similar to that of Ian Kenny (Karnivool) but Kim has a more melodic approach and a higher voice. I'm certainly a fan of Kim's singing and could not imagine any other vocal approach to this music. // 10
Impression: The musicality of this album surprises me every time I've listened to it and it's far from new to me. I know pretty much every song by heart by now yet it doesn't bother me at all. The way these songs never bore me out remind me of the impact I've had from bands like Deftones or Animals As Leaders who I still listen to on an almost daily basis. Every time I turn this album on, even if it's moments after it just finished I still find myself mesmerized by the musicianship on the record. Songs on the record that stand out for me are "One Step", "Space On The Wall", "Big", "Cage", "The Drum", "Next In Line" and "This Is The Warning", yet the remaining few songs that I didn't mention are as far from bad as possible although the song "The Design" is my least favorite of the album, but it is a calmer song that, to me, seems a bit out of place on this record, but may be a nice feature on the album for someone who appreciates diversity in an album soundscape-wise. As far as I am concerned, this is a solid album that can easily be listened from start to end many, many times. To me, they sound very original and innovative and I would not be surprised if we see an increase in bands going for the same sound in the coming years. // 9
I haven't heard this album, but i saw the band live and i heard a few songs on their myspace well over a year ago and i must say i found them somewhat boring.
The songs are too similar, and basically have the same vibe and aside from a few moments that may stand out it's rather ordinary.
Good album. prefer their heavier stuff from the EP's. But still love it. Here we divide, big and space on the wall are great, along with walk and the tracks from the next in line EP.
Also, worth noting it was produced by Forrester Savell. He's done amazing things with bands like karnivool, butterfly effect, mammal and from the ashes.
Love it, though I prefer Karnivool if I'm being honest. Regardless, that group of Aussie bands (Butterfly effect, Mammal, Karnivool, Birds of Tokyo etc) I just love.
Everyone should get this album, if you're not in Australia download that shit. Its worth it.
They manage to blow me away with three and a half minute tunes time and time again. You don't need to be a guitar player to appreciate this band - something I can't say about Karnivool as much.
Love it, though I prefer Karnivool if I'm being honest. Regardless, that group of Aussie bands (Butterfly effect, Mammal, Karnivool, Birds of Tokyo etc) I just love.
Yeah have to agree with you, Karnivool do it for me over any aussie band. Songs like Scarabs, C.O.T.E, Umbra, Themata just do it for me.
Hmmm. Not baaad...but...somehow it all seems very familiar...You start out saying they have a 'Unique' sound...ranging from Karnivool to the Mars Volta...which they sort of sound like in some ways...so maybe not so 'Unique'...sorry, i don't mean to slag your review...you just being a widdle kid and all (?)
Of course Karnivool are better than Dead Letter Circus - they're far more experienced and have got way more tours and gigs under their belt.
Expecting good things from Dead Letter, they look pretty good to me.
Review was rubbish. I don't care how old you are, my 13 year old sister can write better than this. Easily.
Sound like a) a massive fanboy and b) an uneducated idiot. Just sayin'...
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About the band though, its pretty nice music. Nothing too heavy, but just light enough to be relaxing. Might just get it.