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…Trail of Dead show quality rock
…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead’s front man Conrad Keely admits that “I realized long ago … that people enjoy being lied to.”
This bit of information is, for Keely, an indicator of the state of the world at large, including governments, television, and music. With their previous releases always failing to hit the mark, the band admittedly thought of themselves much more as entertainers than artists.
Keely reveals, however, that “our newest album does not attempt any lie.” Described by Spin magazine as “a band creatively at war with itself,” Trail of Dead struggles to create meaningful art rock in a world full of insincerity with their newest release, “So Divided.”
While successfully meshing rock rhythms and complex, symbolic lyrics, the band succeeds on a grand scale.
The muddy, heavily distorted guitars dominate the rhythmic texture of the album, with Keely’s strained vocals providing a perfect counterpart. Injecting their music with a heavy dose of passion, Trail of Dead reach back to a bygone era of rock music that is both raucous and radio-friendly.
The most intriguing song on the album is without a doubt “Wasted State of Mind.” A frenzied, African-style drum introduction provides a great contrast to the methodical, melancholy singing style demonstrated by Keely.
Intermingled with the rock anthems, however, are mournful, yet not overly disparaging, ballads such as “Witches Web.” The acoustic guitars coupled with a distinctly southern slide guitar serve to pay homage to the band’s roots in Austin, Texas, while also accentuating the softer side of Keely’s crooning.
Don’t be fooled by their complex, artsy exterior; …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead are, at their core, just dedicated, quality rock and rollers.
-Kevin Koeninger
‘Sweet Escape’ doesn’t escape classic Stefani
After her last successful release, one may think that there would be an amazing amount of pressure for this starlet to top her last solo album.
Gwen Stefani’s, “Love Angel Music Baby” was a multi-platinum record that spawned a sold out tour as well as the number one smash hit “Hollaback Girl,” that ruled the airwaves for months.
But of course, Stefani proved her cool and endless supply of talent by crushing the challenge and completing her new release.
Stefani’s stellar songstress style is superior on her sophomore CD. The soul bearing Orange County girl invites everyone to a very “Sweet Escape.”
Like Stefani said, “‘The Sweet Escape’ is the perfect title because the music takes you away.”
The CD kicks off with the uniquely catchy and energizing “Wind It Up.” The track was originally intended to be part of the theme music for her clothing line L.A.M.B’s fashion show.
Luckily, she kept it as a work-in-progress and had a friend mix the original track with “The Sound Of Music,” which has inspired Stefani her entire life, (a beautiful woman who sings and sews, sound familiar?). She loved the finished product so much it became the first single released from the CD.
The second release and title track “Sweet Escape” also was a close call of creation. Stefani said she had no idea what to expect from Akon but within the first five minutes of meeting, the two were making music.
Stefani has revealed a serious side before. In 2000 with No Doubt, she dreamed of a ”Simple Kind of Life,” complete with Mr. Stefani and kids.
Now she’s dealing with the aftershocks of getting everything she wanted.
Mostly, she longs for truer marital intimacy. “We can be closer than sharing last names,” she has said. She calls pregnancy “the most craziest s— ever” on “Don’t Get It Twisted,” a hilarious electro-punk track about missing her period. And apparently she and husband Gavin Rossdale have their share of stupid fights.
”U Started It” is a snapshot of a passive-aggressive spat: ”I give in even though you started it/I know you’re right, you win, I don’t want any part of it.”
Ultimately, Stefani isn’t convincing as a dissatisfied diva. She laments a dying affair on the majestic power ballad ”Early Winter,” but her Orange County-girl voice doesn’t seem genuinely sad. Unable to suppress her party-starting nature – or her ambition for big hits – she teams with heavyweights like the Neptunes for half a dozen hip-hop jams.
The fuzzed-out “Breakin’ Up” uses a bad cell-phone connection as a metaphor for a troubled relationship, and it’s as gratingly repetitious as those Verizon ads. Many of the rap songs are oddly hookless compared with the chant-along perfection of 2005 hit “Hollaback Girl.”
An exception is the slinky “Yummy,” which features a rap from Pharrell. Over a spare, undulating beat, Stefani utters funny come-ons until the sounds of industrial machinery unite in a rhythmic grind. Frothy and sonically adventurous, she’s back to her classic self.
Stefani’s desire to grow is admirable, but fans aren’t finished with the cute, happy Gwen yet, and neither, is she.
-Erin Kelleher
