2010 in Music - Dead Letter Circus – This is the Warning - A
I first heard Dead Letter Circus on surfline.com as a track for a segment. I was immediately intrigued by the band, found out they’re from Australia and decided to follow them closely. What’s transpired is that I’ve ordered an EP, a single and an album from Australia because if you like fast quasi prog music, with enough bite to show that they’re a rock band through and through, then you might want to check them out. The single and EP are great on their own and truly offer almost enough material for an album (7 tracks in total). But last year was when they finally released This is the Warning, a unique album that truly demonstrates that these guys are in it to make music that’s all their own. The production is actually quite stellar and I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the best Australian band I’ve heard since Silverhciar although it’s a completely different musical context. The album opens up with “Here we Divide”, a statement track that defines their style in regards to swirling guitars, thundering drums, time shifts and music that makes you think you’re taking part in some space travel. Btw, the drumming in the entire album is extremely solid. “One Step” follows the same mood set in the first track with whirling musical dynamics and layer upon layer of effects laden guitars. “Big” is another song that sounds like the first two tracks and as the name implies, BIG. “The Space on the Wall” does nothing to reduce the scope of the music and truly, it’s like they’re playing to a space armada at times. Further on in the album comes “Reaction” another thundering track that grows into a huge song by the time it hits the chorus. Afterwards you have what I consider the highlight of the album “The Drum”. The sheer scope of the intro to this track is amazing, and the entire song is a buildup to the last minute of the song which has everyone going ballistic in their respective instruments with a sonic explosion that eases into “The Design”, a track some people might not like because it’s slow in comparison, but maybe the break needed after the previous track. “Next in Line” brings it all back though and thunders enough delay effect guitars to make you forget about the previous track.
Highlight Tracks: The Drum, This is the Warning, Reaction, Big, The Space on the Wall
