Not only does this band have THE coolest name for a rock band, but I personally think they have created a great CD in 2009 with their 6th and newest release The Century of Self. I will admit that I had high expectations for this CD since their previous CD So Divided was easily in my top ten favorite CDs of 2006. Needless to say I was not disappointed as I popped it in to my Car CD player, and was immediately enthralled with their latest classic.
So, what makes this band with a long name so great? I simply believe that in a time where music seems to be so polish, dreary and sterile …And You Will Know Us By the Trail Of Dead is a huge breath of fresh air. From the opening “The Giants Causeway” and followed by the immediate wall of sound “The Far Pavilions” The Century of Self captures the listeners from the get go to the closing “Insatiable (Two)”. The best way I can actually describe the sound is ColdPlay meets The Who meets Sunny Day Real Estate, meets Jawbox. Now this seems to be a mixture that shouldn’t mesh, but it does. Kind of like mixing peanut butter and chocolate (yes that was a strange idea at one time). Some of the highlights include “Bells of Creation”, “Inland Sea” and “Isis Unveiled”.
The Century of Self is an eclectic collection of some of the most diverse music I have heard in a long time. If you are looking for a change from the same ole sappy emo/scream core bands that are a dime a dozen, then …And You Shall Know Us By the Trail Of Dead is a band you need to check out.
Reviewed by Jeff Holton
