Review Summary: Don't let the title fool you, there is no junk to be found on this album.
It would seem that 2009 has been the year for metalcore. First Poison The Well releases the amazing The Tropic Rot, then August Burns Red releases the much improved Constellations, and now Every Time I Die comes out with this fantastic album.
I was a fan of The Big Dirty, it was a bit of a departure from their other music but it was still really fun to listen to, it was more groove oriented compared to the crazy and frenetic riffs they were known for but you had Keith Buckley writing some fun songs and it sounded good and that was all anyone could have asked for. But with New Junk Aesthetic they have really raised the bar.
"Roman Holiday" starts the album off, it's a slower and crushing song with an almost eerie ambience to it. Next comes "The Marvelous Slut" which speeds the album up, Greg Puciato does guest vocals on this song and it really compliments how manic the song feels. "Who Invited The Russian Soldier" is one of the best songs on the album, it has a very groovy riff, almost like one you would hear on The Big Dirty before the guitars go back to that manic sound they established on the track before this. "Wanderlust" is reminiscent of The Big Dirty and is also the longest song on the album clocking in at 4:10. "Host Disorder" showcases Buckley's impressive singing and screaming and his lyrical writing. These songs are all short and sweet and get right to the point, not dragging on at all. Because of this never get a chance to get bored with the album or catch your breath making New Junk Aesthetic a musical thrill ride.
"Organ Grinder" is the album highlight, it is a perfect example of Every Time I Die's music. Heavy, catchy, and adrenaline fueled groovy riffs pound your ears before the yell of "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID OF THE DARK DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S FRIGHTENED OF YOU" goes over top of the frenzied guitar riffs. This is the perfect Every Time I Die song.
This album is an almost perfect amalgamation of their previous styles, combining them seamlessly into a album that will make you bang your head and scream with Keith Buckley. Anyone who is a fan of metalcore or who wants to see the positive side of metalcore should listen to this.
