The Big Dirty Review

Release Date: Sept 4, 2007
Label: Ferret Music
Genres: Metalcore
Number Of Tracks: 12
Every Time I Die’s latest album offers up all the humor and miraculous riff work that fans might hope from the Buffalo natives.

Sound:	7.7
Lyrics:	9.3
Impression:	8.7
Overall rating:	8.6
Users rating:	8.5
Comments:	23

overall: 9

Featured review by: UG Team, on september 04, 2007

Sound: If there’s something that Every Time I Die can guarantee, it’s good old fashioned entertainment. If you’ve seen the band’s now classic video “The New Black,” then you know that humor is something that abounds in Buffalo quartet. The band has injected a much-needed dose of wit into the metal world, and not surprisingly, there has been a large audience that has latched ETID in return. The latest album The Big Dirty continues in the tradition of tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and even more importantly, still dishes out some of the most memorable, grooving, and bluesy riffs today. To top if tall off, there hasn’t been an album title in a while that has combined just the right amount of cheesiness and sleaze that The Big Dirty embodies.

The band doesn’t worry so much about catchy hooks or recreating “The New Black” in the opening track “No Son Of Mine.” It’s obvious the band still wants to assure fans it can still deliver a gritty, angry metalcore track. “No Son Of Mine” is one of the most aggressive tracks on the album and is centered around vocalist Keith Buckley’s roaring vocals and a repeating, basic guitar riff. It’s the vitriolic lyrics revolving around a less-than-perfect father (the phrase “deadbeat dad” is thrown around) that gives the track it's punch and ETID saves the truly infectious hooks for later songs.

Although a few follow-up tracks like “Pigs Is Pigs” and “Leatherneck” don’t really do guitarists Jordan Buckley and Andy Williams justice, it doesn’t take too much longer for the infectious hooks to be whipped out. “We’rewolf” (even the titles’ spellings have a little bit of extra thought put into them) allows ETID to truly show what it’s got. With a cowbell to get things started and a dark, almost Danzig-like guitar on the chorus, “We’rewolf” is the first track to truly impress. The end also features Guitar Hero-worthy riff work that puts it up there with “The New Black.”

Buckley’s vocals do gravitate toward a grittier style on The Big Dirty, which although appropriate for metalcore, doesn’t really show all of his talent. “Rendez-Voodoo” features some of his strongest work because he not only has to take on several melodic, traditionally sung sections (with harmonies on top of it all), he also has to bounce back to screaming sections. There are moments when the instruments are stripped down -- at times even just featuring a bass and drum beat --- and Buckley’s vocals must take on most of the work. Not surprisingly, Buckley easily accomplishes making “Rendez-Voodoo” a solid track. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Every Time I Die probably has lured as many fans for its lyrics as its music, and the latest album won’t disappoint either group. You would be hard-pressed to name even one song that doesn’t include either an extremely memorable line or some sort of lyrical nuance that induces a smile. “Pigs Is Pigs” has one of the most memorable, stalker-inspired lines when Buckley sings, “You know I’m not good at court-ordered good-byes.” Then you’ve got “We’rewolf,” in which he declares, “I’ve gotten bitten by the party animal” and the more introspective “You don’t live until you’re ready to die.” And if you’re not convinced, The Big Dirty even features Buckley spewing out some over-the-top, religious lyrics -- spoken and not sung, of course. // 10

Impression: In the advance copy we received there was only the audio CD, but the store release will also feature a 45-minute DVD featuring behind the scenes footage from the road as well as from the studio. The band’s MySpace site mentioned the bonus DVD is titled "The Dudes and Don'ts of Recording,” so that alone would seem to make it worthwhile.

It’s easy to see why fans have gravitated towards Every Time I Die. There is an extremely likeable, egoless quality that comes across in it's music. Humor can take a band only so far, and luckily ETIE has something a little extra, in particular musical talent. In a world with some great guitarists, Jordan Buckley and Andy Williams have a knack for creating the kind of hooks that draw you in. Tracks like “Depressionista” don’t utilize that talent and it’s hard not to be disappointed. Of course, just when you think that might be a trend on The Big Dirty, you get killer songs like “Buffalo Gals” or “We’rewolf,” which once again make you a believer. // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on october 04, 2007

Sound: Every genre has it's pinnacle artist. Every Time I Die is just that for metalcore. Their progression between albums is ambitious beyond skeptiscism, initailly sounding like mildly organized chaos on "Last Night in Town" to the more listener friendly assault of 2003's masterpiece "Hot Damn." Picking up where they left on '05's "Gutter Phenomenon" ETID wear their Rock 'n' Roll influence proudly with this years "The Big Dirty." At this point they've created something unique and original that you will not find anywhere else. We're hearing the same seizure inducing riffs and head-crushing breakdowns but this time a round with a bit more swing and dare I say, groove? // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Keith Buckley is a lyrical mastermind. His sarcastic snarl is up to par as usual as he bellows "Who taught you those words? Don't ever say rock and roll!" in No Son of Mine. It's been noted that Keith is not around for the writing which doesn't come as much of a surprise given the random and frantic tendencies of his vocals. How does one write words to seemingly unstructured music? Simple, scream your head off about anything and everything. Even in his darkest passages you can't help but laugh equally at his brilliance and with. "Hang 'em high and let 'em sing" in Pigs is Pigs is absolutely chill inducing. How he manages to continue to top himself is a mystery but one that I'm happy to accept. No shortage of one-liners here. // 10

Impression: This is a fantastic rock band. Not an easy first time listen no matter what album you're playing but give it time and it all begins to make sense. Comparing this to their early work is both irrelevant and impossible. They continue to make great songs with an anger and bite you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Bravo! // 9

overall: 7.7

Reviewed by: bw129, on september 04, 2007

Sound: In the constantly colliding worlds of emo and hardcore, the overwhelming number of acts has been forcing even established bands to change in order to stay on top. My Chemical Romance launched a rock opera with "The Black Parade," and even Avenged Sevenfold is promising a "different sound, something no one expects" on their upcoming LP. Given this atmosphere, it may come as a surprise that Every Time I Die chose not to deviate from their established sound with "The Big Dirty." But why should they, when what they have works so well? ETID's dueling guitars are as dirty as the album's title suggests, grinding and chugging throughout. There are plenty of memorable riffs and some nice harmonizing, as showcased in the fourth track, We'rewolf. Stylistic flairs aren't at the expense of the classic ETID breakdowns, though, so longtime fans shouldn't have anything to be disappointed about. In short, the sound is ETID through and through. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: It's somewhat of a shame that vocalist Keith Buckley's delivery often makes it hard to discern a lot of his lyrics, because they're creative, entertaining and even insightful at times. As far as the content, it generally tends toward ETID's usual fare- women, partying, rocking, and kicking ass. The lyrics are a perfect accompaniment to the guitars, and the combination could get even a tranquilized elephant up and moving. Buckley peppers his usual memorable one-liners throughout, wailing "Til death do we rock/We're so full of shit" on Depressionista; "We drank ourselves under the covers" on Inrihab; "You know I'm no good at court-ordered goodbyes" on Pigs is Pigs; "I gave the world one hell of a tummy ache" on We'rewolf; "a pox on your house of cards" on Rebel Without Applause. In addition to the content, the lyrics are delivered as only Buckley can, alternating easily between screaming, speaking and chanting. No new tricks in this department, but no complaints either. Astute Alexisonfire fans will also welcome Dallas Green's guest vocals on Inrihab. // 8

Impression: "The Big Dirty" doesn't offer much in the way of surprises, but it is by no means a disappointment. The songs are cohesive and the album flows effortlessly. Most of the songs chug along at similar tempos, so a little variation would have been a welcome change. However, slowing down seems to run against ETID's philosophy of nonstop rock. There's nothing wrong with this, as it is what they do best. The album is refreshingly devoid of poor songs, and favorites would be hard to discern. "The Big Dirty" is consistently solid, though Rebel Without Applause, We'rewolf, and the hilarious story of No Son of Mine do stand out among the pack. With the exception of Rendez-Voodoo, most of the songs have a similar sound, and they often walk a fine line between flowing well and running together. The album's major shortcoming, though, is it's length. Twelve tracks are packed into a mere 36 minutes, but this isn't much of a deviation from other ETID albums. The only advantage to it's (lack of) length is that it makes the album an amusing unit of measurement; the round trip to my recent doctor's appointment was almost exactly 2 Big Dirties. By contrast, Google Maps estimates my upcoming road trip to North Carolina to be about 11.5 Big Dirties. Yikes. "The Big Dirty" is the logical continuation of ETID's career; distinct enough to exist on it's own, but recognizable as their work. The band doesn't force unnecessary experimentation and the music sounds very natural and organic for it's style. ETID keeps it refreshingly gimmick-free and packs "The Big Dirty" with what their fans will undoubtedly want to hear. It seems the band is simply here to rock and roll, and "The Big Dirty" definitely rocks. // 8

Comments

[OThugSd]

This is a sick album, maybe not as good as Gutter Phenomenon, but it rocks.

[thrice07]

This album beats Gutter and is tied with Hot Damn, such a good album. I love his new singing style in Pigs is Pigs and Rendez-Voodoo

[FearBefore]

Gotta agree, this CD is better than Gutter Phenomenon. However, I'm not quite sure it's as good as Hot Damn! Maybe after a few more listens i'll change my mind, but at the moment it doesn't seem to stick in your head as much as Hot Damn! As for intensity, it's no way near "Last Night In Town" or "The Burial Plot Bidding War." With the exception of 'We'rewolf' (in which the riffs have kept me awake for a couple of nights) this CD isn't as catchy as Hot Damn! Great reviews though and a great CD.

[jasonkan]

my personal fav album is gutter, tho this CD has some pretty cool songs, i dont think it matches up with its previous album release.
personally i think rendez-voodoo and INRIhab are the better songs and i also dig no son of mine

[jude(STF)]

i really couldnt agree wiuth you more
damn good review

[burn the stars]

its no hot damn, or lastnight in town for that matter.

[samerika]

it ain't that good but there are some good songs on it.

[catalyst329]

A killer album, his voice is better, the guitars are just as good if not better and the cd has much more variaty

[gimmeanickname]

I miss the sound they had on Hot Damn! and I'm not feeling the simple, repetitive guitar on most of the songs.

[RomeoAGOGO]

oh damn they are so good. this album is more on theyre southern side. it makes me proud to be fromthe b-lo

[eltravo]

They really became a rock n' roll band on this album.

I think its ****ing awesome.

[whitebluesboy]

Dude has one of the coolest voices in modern hardcore and metal. He doesn't scream, he doesn't sing, and he doesn't like "hardcore shout". Its different but in a goodway.

[Infamou$17]

RomeoAGOGO wrote:

it makes me proud to be fromthe b-lo

Word

[GetTheGasoline]

yo this is just as good as gutter, and waaay better than hot damn, but maybe not as good as last night.....i feel like im the only one who thinks hot damn is their worst album. i say worst but its still badasssss

[jackshred]

the video for we'rewolf is brilliant haha

[holy ghost]

love this band...but I'm kinda worn out on this album. the vocals didnt rally do much for me.

[sad.rock.444]

ashamed to say that I'm an ETID beginner, but I love it, especially "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Battery"

[kickassMAGIC!]

This is for sure a great album

But... am I the only one who can't hear Dallas Green's vocals on INRIhab? I mean, I listened to it tons of times, and I just don't hear it...

[TeethinG]

someone should tab this album. yup!

[justchillin21]

Maybe we will never get another "Last night in town" but etid always has good ol' family entertainment, total "shinfo"

[leper_affinity]

sad.rock.444 wrote:

ashamed to say that I'm an ETID beginner, but I love it, especially "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Battery"

You have good taste, my friend.

[okaykiddo]

kickassMAGIC! wrote:

But... am I the only one who can't hear Dallas Green's vocals on INRIhab? I mean, I listened to it tons of times, and I just don't hear it...

"I marched across the muddy stream..."

Great album, its really awesome to see how they have constantly stayed close to their roots while still pushing their sound, ****ing amazing band and musicians.

[Revenge24]

To be honest, I find this album better than their previous works because I find myself thoroughly enjoying every last song on it. No Son Of Mine and We'rewolf are the stand-outs for me, but every song is fantastic nonetheless.