Murder by Death - Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing Review

Murder by Death Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing

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Tracklist:
1)Those Who Stayed
2)I'm Afraid of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe
3)A Caucus Race
4)You Are the Last Dragon (You Possess the Power of the Glow)
5)Joe Bou
6)Flamenco's Fuckin' Easy
7)Intergalactic Menopause
8)Those Who Left
9)Holy Lord, Shawshank Redemption is Such a Good Movie!

Ranking: #121 for 2002

user rating

3.7
great

Chart.

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On 5 Lists

4.0
excellent

Ryan Flatley STAFF (81 Reviews)

2006-08-04 | 10 comments | 1,572 views

This was Murder by Death’s first LP, what a success it was musically. Riffs that are phenomenal with the context of the album bind it together so strong that it is impossible to destroy something this good. Compared to their two most recent albums, this song focuses a lot less on the lyrics (that are still great by their own standard) and more on the music that lures you in.

I am going to start off with the Medley of Evil as MbD would like to call it. “Those who left” and “Those who stayed” (in that order mind you) create this Medley of Evil, the two instrumental tracks that blow my mind. The effects on the guitars and bass in the background make it seem like it would be impossible for a guitar or bass to make the sounds produced. With simple throbbing drums backing up both tracks it comes through with such power and awe. “Those who left” really brings out the pianist and his abilities to play because that is the main melody hear throughout. With some shouts at the end of “Those who left” it comes to a close silently drifting off after a song that packs a powerful punch into your ears. Then if played together, it melts into “Those who stayed” with a cello opening followed by a guitar playing the similar tune and then the drums come it and it really gets going. The bass shifts into gear along with the piano and creates a really nice atmosphere. Soon a piano interlude is followed by a nice cello line that turns into a gloomy situation. What seemed to be majestic and happy music turns into dreadful music within seconds as the cello hits lower and lower, and then the guitar kicks in and plays copy-cat with the cello riff, and gets the movement flowing once again. The bass and piano soon come in and also play this similar riff. The song soon ends with nonstop strumming by the guitars in a similar rhythm pattern and then hits the final note and beat and comes to a halt.

“I’m afraid of who’s afraid of Virginia Wolfe,” is the second track on the album. It starts with distorted drums mind you, and you get your first listen to the lyrics of Adam Turla and they are great. The lyrics focus is on how “perfect” girls basically have no guidelines that are reasonable and they have their act all mixed up. The feel really lets you just relax and enjoy it.

“A Caucus Race,” is the next song and it’s is a decent track. It drags at times which is a bit unappealing, nothing special that blows up in your face. I do however, as with all of the songs, fancy the lyrics. “Joe Bou” also relates to this song in that sense, personally the two weakest tracks on the album if I had to pick any. Joe Bou is a nice relaxing song but once again, it’s nothing that screams in your face, even though I do like the bridge that they have in there which features the cello and the piano.

“You are the Last Dragon (You possess the Power of the Glow),” is easily my favorite track that isn’t an instrumental. The intro is amazing. Starts with the piano and guitar play a riff with one another that leads into screeching distorted guitar that grabs you by the throat. The song is in full swing and it begins a song that has a hell of a lot to offer musically. This starts and ends beautifully and there is never a dull moment within.

“Flamenco’s ***ing’ Easy” and “Intergalactic Menopause” round off the apex of this album. With memorable piano lines in FFE to the hypnotizing bass line in IM, these two songs continue the theme of dreary music but it does not come out dreary at all, rather mystical. “Holy Lord, Shawshank Redemption Is Such a Good Movie!” ends the album. It is mainly just an instrumental with these lyrics, ‘you're all the way over there but we can dance to your music from here,’ that are softly spoken in the middle of song. These three songs put caps lock on the albums magic of soothing sounds.

From a band with quite possibly the worst name ever, they create some of the most inspiring music ever. A true catalyst in what they are trying to accomplish musically. This CD is a hell a lot less accessible than what they put out after this release, but to anyone who wants to kick back and relax to an opera of indie music, this would be it. Even though it may be quite depressing at times to listen to, it can really release anger and stress, so if you need an album to help you with life in general, this could be one of them. Murder by Death started out on the right foot and they haven’t missed a step since and that is rare today, Cheers to you.

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