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Review Summary: Horniest album of the year Back in 1997, DFD released their debut album, Erotic Massage. Sure, it sounded like it was recorded in a bedroom and the overall mix was pretty ropey, but what it clearly had were 12 songs with quality at their core, mixing heavy guitar riffs with an overly healthy dose of saxophone and various other instruments to create a varied sound that ranged from metal to funk via reggae and jazz and a whole melting pot of other influences. Fast forward 20 years, and the Hardest Working Guys In Rock(tm) decided to go into the studio to completely re-record that diamond in the rough, many would say seminal album bursting with (largely) unfulfilled potential. The result is, perhaps not unsurprisingly, monumental.
With the original album in mind, the first thing that hits with EM2 is just how phenomenal the sound is. Christian Dance Song explodes out of the speakers with its initial riff seamlessly segueing into bouncing funk saxophone, then G. Eye Joe tears the speakers apart with its thundering drumkit and boneshaking bass line, giving the term boombastic a whole new definition. DFD's 2 albums since reforming have sounded great, but EM2 sounds properly revelatory. The jazzy swing of Wait is next, making the heart sing, before the first massive change from 1997, Anacostia.
While most of the songs on EM2 show signs of tweakage compared to their original selves - some minor, some major - there are three in particular that have been completely rewritten. As Lost In Anacostia was (to these simple ears) the best track on EM1997, a little trepidation was felt upon first airing of the redux. Oh ye of little faith. Underpinned with a piano line that quite simply lifts the soul, Todd Smith rages beautifully against the idiocy of Trump (amongst others) and their policies of Orwellian subversive opression "Be careful what you say/We hear everything". A fantastic song rewritten as a fantastic song. China White shows off the band's punk credentials with subtle synth sounds and singalong lyrics, and Communion rocks out another religion-baiting line ("On your knees you beg and plead/ For mercy from your imaginary friend") whilst mixing in ska-funk via smooth horn sections, before Oral Spunk hits.
Aaah, Oral Spunk. Songs like Oral Spunk simply don't come along very often, and should purely be treasured. The lead sax riff, nailed down by Jasan Stepp's complemetarily heavy guitar, creates some kind of fists-in-the-air, smile-on-the-face boombastic (still) party rock sound, while the lyrics tend towards the disturbed and/or depraved: "One hand choking/And one hand stroking/ Unzip my lips/ And let me swallow you whole". Shortly, the music turns towards the lyrics, becoming darker and heavier with wild saxophone squeals and squawks going off to somehow remind the listener of proper old skool jazz influences, and Todd screaming "Eeny Meanie miny moe/ F**k my throat and eat my soul". The only place to go after a behemoth like this is to soften the flow, and the next totally rewritten song Lucifer (Vernal Equinox) does just that. Lookin' for Love (Still Lookin') keeps the downtempo vibe going, being a perfect song for the last orders at the bar scenario, when everyone is cheery and merry and all friends, and all that's required is that one song to finish the night off perfectly.
From this nosebleeding height, most albums would find it difficult to play out. Not so here. Dis-Content puts itself forward as the answer to the perenially asked (apparently) question "What song sums up DFD best?" by being all things to all people, yet entirely its own beast: Heavy, swingy, jazzy, funky, ska: "That which doesn't kill you/ Will most likely try again", "Satan spends and Jesus saves", "We are an alien experiment gone so completely wrong" make it also probably the most fun to quote on the whole album. Penultimate track Hypnotic Encounter, the third totally new version, is also very aptly named. A hypnotically swirling, enchanting track with haunting keys before the final knockout punch of Corpse Is A Corpse. Probably DFD's most omnipresent track, having also had versions on Embryo's In Bloom and Anarchists of Good Taste, however it has never sounded so punchy and insistent. The off-kilter guitar riff sounds urgent and distinctive, and Todd's more harsh vocals have developed greatly since the early days, giving added weight to the screams of "Decompose you maggot". Ending an album like this with your heaviest song is an impressive decision.
Although Erotic Massage shows DFD coming full circle, closing the loop started back in 1997, the overall feeling generated by this album is not completion or fulfillment, but that of a band brimming with a whole new lust for life, a burning desire to set a match under the heavy music scene just to watch it burn. This is the evolution of DFD, the start of a whole new chapter. Strap in, the ride is only going to get more thrilling.
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Album Rating: 5.0
Listen (or buy) at Bandcamp:
https://dogfashiondisco.bandcamp.com/album/erotic-massage
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Hell yeah! My only concern with this is AOGT doesn't sound very good to my ears anymore & this is a re-hash of older DFD material... but the 3 albums after AOGT are all varying levels of goodness (especially Adultery).
Certainly intrigued but also tentatively nervous.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Understandable, but give it a go. The band are light years ahead of where they were, Jasan Stepp was only on board from Adultery, and the overall sound of this is incredible.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I'll definitely check it out, everything since 'Committed' has been highly enjoyable so far, I'm sure this redux is tastefully done.
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Sounds like a lot of fun, but I don't know the band yet. Is yhis a good place to start with their discography?
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Yeah, it is a great jumping on point. Adultery is also a masterpiece, they both display the band's true knack of blending styles seamlessly. Think fnm with more sax!
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Anarchists of Good Taste is way better (my favourite by them as well). But good job with the review and for having the balls to 5 this.
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You can't just put 'Redux' there like that without paying compensation to the word's creator, one 'Black Malachite'.
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I'll have to check this out, Dog Fashion is great and their older albums need that polish especially this one!
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Cool, didnt know they had rerecorded this one.
Adultery is one of the best albums of the 21st century imo. Weirdly enough, I haven#t listened to any other of their albums.
This one is even on spotify, so I might do it.
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Will check.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I need to hear this. Adultery is amazing, and Committed to a Bright Future was fun.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I've had a look & just so people know the only way to get a physical copy of this is through indie merch. There are some packages with a t-shirt/mug etc. & it's a double-disc set. I was hoping for a bog standard CD, honestly. The t-shirt looks cool but ordering to the UK when I have no idea if it'll fit seems a little risky.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Gave a 5 cos it just feels pretty perfect to me, tho I do love this band. For me, is the equal to Adultery, tho appreciate most will prefer that album. See how a few weeks of constant listening affects it.
Indiemerch is the only place to get a physical copy, includes a remastered version of the original, but it does take a while to reach the uk!
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
I would order it, I'm just concerned that the t-shirt won't fit which in turn will make the purchase a little on the expensive side. I do love this band. This might be one of the few times I just pay for a download & maybe I can mock up my own CD from that.
Edit: I usually buy physical copies, that sort of makes it sound like I'm an illegal downloader instead. Haha.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Ha ha, me too. Dfd is one of my fave bands, so I aim to get cds rather than just download. Bit the bullet and ordered, but no t shirt for the same reason! Polkadot Cadaver are aiming to release in november, so may rethink!
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Do these guys ever sleep? Ha. They seem to be rather prolific at the minute. I still need to hear the last Polkadot album, not to mention 'Ad Nauseum' by DFD. I think it's time for some catch-up.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Two great albums, ad nauseam especially. Watching You and Baby Bones are among the band's best. Plus, when you consider Knives Out! and El Creepo, can't think of anyone who is busier than Todd and Jasan!
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
That Polkadot album isn't on Amazon at the minute, I wonder if they'll re-issue it to distributors. Found one expensive copy on Discogs (& it isn't new, I want them to have my money). It's on their website but looking at delivery costs (to the UK) anything I order is going to end up being so expensive, which is a shame because I'm ready to order all 3 albums.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Yeah. Like EM, Jonestown is on their own record label, and i guess they focus on downloads to keep costs down. Ad Nauseam is on rotten records, and it sounds like they seriously fucked dfd over, along with a bunch of others, so physical copies can be hard to come by. Digital is the future, and the future is now!
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