Review Summary: Fact: This is one of the best albums I've heard so far in 2014
Since 2004 I’ve been incessantly searching for new bands, new sounds, but, somehow, i’ve never heard about Death From Above 1979 before. It’s actually quite amusing that I stumbled before their work right after becoming impressed with Royal Blood’s recently released debut and realising how much a bass-drum duo was not just actually feasible, but had potential for some really impressive and captivating stuff.
The main difference between Royal Blood’s and Death From Above 1979’s sound is that the former has more of a hard rock sound, with heavier cadenced riffs, and the latter is kind of a disco punk, with faster and more direct riffing.
Apparently, DFA1979’s debut is a really cherished album, and, given the fact that it was released ten years ago, expectations were really high for “The Physical World”. I have never listened to their previous record, so, for me, this is an unbiased look on their new material and all I can say is that this is some pretty good stuff. The songs featured in this album are energetic, filled with catchy choruses and attention grabbing riffs. This album is filled with so many great moments that it makes its short length (only 34 minutes) seem even shorter.
Standout tracks are “Right On, Frankenstein!”, which is a track that goes by in a pretty standard manner and then features a great breakdown that catches the listener by surprise; “Crystal Ball” with its heavy and groovy riff makes it impossible for whoever is listening don’t want to move their body and the title track that closes the record in high fashion. “The Physical World” is probably the heaviest between the 11 tracks and features some excellent drum work and great riffing that hits the listener with a wall of sound before breaking down in some Sabbath-like bridge. It’s unexpected, and it’s awesome.
Spotify recommended me these guys based on my music taste and I confess that, mostly out of ignorance, I wasn’t expecting nothing great from them, but I’m glad I was wrong. I’ve been spinning this record a lot in the last few days and I’m pretty sure that when december comes, The Physical World will be featuring one of the top 3 positions in my favorite albums of the year list. This is fun, this is compelling, this is some serious beer chugging and mosh pitting music.
