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FOUR WALL BLACKMAIL (LP) Released 4 June 2002 Solid State Records 1. Burgundy 2. The Corporate Enthusiast mp3 3. A Green Desire mp3 4. Four Wall Blackmail 5. August Winterman mp3 Watch Video 6. Ollie Otson 7. Bliss Tearing Eyes 8. Stereo Child 9. Arlington Arms 10.Tell Myself Goodbye |
REVIEWS GODCORE REVIEW By: BenDavid Victorian: Being in the highly ornamented, massive style of architecture, decor, and furnishings popular in 19th-century England. And thus I hail Dead Poetic's debut album Four Wall Blackmail as "Victorian Metal". Their style can be described only as Melodic aggression. Artfully crafted melodies and catch-lines numb any feelings of doubt in regards to Dead Poetics place in music. I've heard few debut albums that hit with as much power and quality as Four Wall Blackmail. Let me venture out on a limb. If I had to classify Brandon Rike's voice, I would classify it as "Emo". But let me first define what I believe is "Emo". Emo is essentially short for emotional. Rike has a sorrowful voice that easily transforms into an intense scream that is void of any "old school dirty hardcore" remnants. So by emo I do not mean a sad wimpy voice. For emotional is not one specific emotion, but rather a collection, at times sad, at times sarcastic, at times angry etc. Brandon Rike, writing all the lyrics (except for Bliss Tearing Eyes) creates a mood of self-reflection and regret at our failings as humans. The most powerful track is, in my opinion, the title track, Four Wall Blackmail. Soaring guitar parts, ambient bass progressions, and jazz sounding drum riffs breaking into driving aggressive blows comprise the beauty of this song. I swear, every time I hear it I get chills. The rest of the album ranges from aggressive speed sarcasm (The Corporate Enthusiast) to melodic rock anthems (Stereochild) to acoustic poetic prayers (Bliss Tearing Eye). By being so diverse in their approach, Dead Poetic opens their doors to a wider audience than if they were to jump a style. They meld beauty and aggression together in a way that reaches out to people on their level. Lyrical the album is phenomenal. Touching on issues that most feel and feel expose, while at other times delivering typical complaints about society and industry in a sarcastic yet explorative manner. Banner line? In my slightly jaded opinion (I'm listening to FWB right now), this is one of the best albums to date this year. Don't buy fast food, buy the machine. added 07.06.02 GODCORE REVIEW By Jason Best I love to hear new bands break out of what music fans consider the "popular sound," and create from their own passions. Not only does this make the music scene stronger but also shows the creativity of a true musician. This is just one of the thoughts I had as I took this disk from Dead Poetic for a spin. To describe Dead Poetic's sound is a bit of a challenge as nothing I compare it to will give a complete description. At first I told people to mix the emo side of Further Seems Forever with Blindside and they would have something close to Dead Poetic. With a little more time to analyze this release I would also throw in a strong resemblance to Embodyment with occasional Zao-like vocals. Brandon Rike's mix of singing and screaming is what makes this 4 piece hard to catagorize, yet his vocals are one of the most impressive styles I've ever heard. Not only that but every instrument blends well with the changes of pace and continues to add their own creativity. As soon as the listener thinks they have a certain style pin pointed, Dead Poetic will throw in something completely different to offset any monotony that many bands fall victim to. Four songs that really stick out to my ears are: "A Green Desire," the title track "Four Wall Blackmail," "August Winterman," and the acoustic love song to Jesus "Bliss Tearing Eyes." These track drive this album although I would add that there is not much of a let down with the remaining songs. The only minor problem I had was that the opening track, "Burgundy" did not seem to fit in that spot and made it a little difficult to catch the overall feel until I hit the third or fourth song. I mention this because some people only listen to one or two songs and judge the entire project according to what they heard. Dead Poetic will be quick to win people's heart with Four Wall Blackmail, and I expect them to be one of the top bands this year. These guys are also genuine in both their music and their relationships and are a welcomed addition to the Christian music world. added 07.06.02 CMJ New Music Report (Issue: 770) Jul 08, 2002 DEAD POETIC: Four Wall Blackmail by: Kevin Boyce While the fusion of metal and hardcore (creatively dubbed "metalcore") was predictable, the combination of emo and hardcore can be likened to the merger of chocolate and peanut butter. Before the two become one, the number of people who believed that the combination would work was dismally low but, when they finally united, the results were surprisingly good. Candy comparisons aside, artists such as Thursday and Poison The Well, among many others, continue to make significant contributions to the ongoing evolution of "emocore." And now, with newcomers like The Used and Ohio's highly impressive Dead Poetic arriving on the scene, there is no need to acquire the services of the Amazing Kreskin to foresee that this budding genre will have a long and prosperous impact on American music. Produced by Barry Poynter (Juliana Theory, Furthermore), Dead Poetic's Solid State-Tooth & Nail debut, Four Wall Blackmail, couldn't have come at a better time. Brandon Rike, the band's 19-year-old vocalist who shrieks as well he gracefully dances with melody, will be one to watch. He has all the qualities, looks and charm to be as successful as he wants and when combined with his band's eclectic blend of musical venom and heart-tugging sensitivity, Dead Poetic are bound to be an essential piece of the emocore puzzle. Spend some time with "Burgundy," "The Corporate Enthusiast," "A Green Desire," "Arlington Arms," "Stereochild" and the title track. added: 06.29.02 Review from Brian Webb @ The PRP Dead Poetic - Four Wall Blackmail (4 / 5) Cut from the same cloth as bands such as Thursday, Embodyment, Finch and even latter day Poison The Well, the debut record from Ohio's Dead Poetic shouldn't fail to hit its target demographic. Thickly layered melancholy with equal parts melody and hardcore, 'Four Wall Blackmail' has a indie rock feel that rings true in an era where styles of music are culled and merged together so thoughtlessly. The very fact that it is produced by Barry Poynter gives you confidence in the albums sound and indeed 'Four Wall Blackmail' only compounds why he is in such demand and consistently prolific in his output. Album opener 'Burgundy' has a smooth sounding quality thanks to Brandon Rikes lush harmonic vocals which never fail to impress in a song which floats throughout its duration. Other than the acoustic gem of 'Bliss Tearing Eyes' things are decidedly edgier from this point on and whilst the ever-present shriek serpent like vocals do make an appearance on this record they take on a very much back seat role which is thankful given that Brandon is so competent vocally. Musically things are pretty basic, again, allowing the vocals to take precedence and carry the songs as the instruments go about their job in an obligatory house band fashion. Not to say its poor but rather uninspiring for a metalcore genre that has long since come of age. We see hints of creativity in the dulcet tones of 'Stereochild' but for the most part its not carried out to fruition. Regardless, for a band so young this could be the beginnings of something that will bear greater relevance in due time. Definitely one for the future. added 06.27.02 Dead Poetic "Four Wall Blackmail" Reviewed by: Matt @ ampwireuk.com Overall Rating: 9/10 Review: Dont you just hate that 'This band sounds like...' tagline, its an unfortunate fact that alot of people just wont take the time to listen to bands if they've wrongly been associated with 'X' bands by the latest fast-talking-wise-cracking-cant-understand-a-bloody-word-he-says-alternative-vj. Why do i say this? Its because Dead Poetics sound is hard to explain, its hard to define, and as a result, quick comparisons to bands 'like Zao and Poison The Well' (promo) are sure to arise...or maybe its just cos i stutter when i talk fast... For the uninformed, 'Four Wall Blackmail' is the debut effort from Tooth and Nail Records own Ohio four piece, Dead Poetic. Both melodic and dynamic, the album certainly flows smoothly from track to track, sounding intellegent, subtle, and balanced - not an easy task for a band that relies heavily on two vocal extremes of melody and hostility. My main concern is the bands honesty and integrity, perhaps its just one of the drawbacks of studio recording, but there are times when you question the bands motives, it'd certainly be interesting to see this band in a live setting. This, it has to be said, is only a minor note when bearing in mind the overall 'playability' of this album - its just a really good album. Listening to Dead Poetic is like listening to poetry...on acid. The lyrics are at the very least, interesting, and, at times, awesome - and not so much in the 'gnarly' way, more so in the 'awe-inspiring' way - it fits perfectly and feels 'right' in a way not often seen by bands of this nature. From the heavier numbers of 'A Green Desire' to the truly beautiful acoustics of 'Bliss Tearing Eyes' i whole-heartedly recommend this album, tracks like 'Four Wall Blackmail' and my current favourite, 'The Corporate Enthusiast' are certainly highlights of a classic album. I have to give this band a mighty thumbs up for producing something original and interesting, challenging to some perhaps, but give it a chance and you wont regret it - right now, very few bands are offering what i would deem as something really new, thisGIRL, Thursday, only a notable few, but maybe Dead Poetic should be added to that list, of course its not ENTIRELY new, and comparisons will always be drawn, however, it at least feels fresh and feels new....and thats good enough for me As you'll have guessed by now, i LIKE this album, and i mean i REALLY like this album, in French it would be called "la renarde" and would be hunted with only its cunning to protect it. So go, try buy, try. added: 06.26.02 CultureDose.com Ambitious Band With Talent to Back Them Up A Review by Laurie Edwards 04/22/2002 If there's such a thing as melodic heavy metal that never quite gets soft enough to be power pop, Dead Poetic's it. Brandon Rike has the look and sound of a teen idol, but the music and lyrics he and the rest of Dead Poetic come up with put them far outside the teenybopper realm...though I can definitely see hit potential here. Dead Poetic has been around for going on five years now, which is a helluva long time when the band is now only between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two. In that five years, they've grown up together in Ohio, come to personal understandings within the band, and had several names (finally coming arriving at a name that reminds me immediately of the Robin Williams film of nearly the same name...which, in turn, leads me to think of talented young kids who question everything). Yeah, these guys are young, and they're smart enough to play with that image. For as young as they are, there's the polished sound of a band who've been together awhile; the music and story lyrics fit together nicely, and no one instrument overwhelms the others. (Zach Miles, particularly, has a grasp of the proper place for his work that many older guitarists don't have after thirty years of playing in a band.) The music is a collaborative effort, too; Miles writes the basics, after which the others tweak to suit. Then Rike adds his intense lyrics, the band works them, and they're ready to record. This is excellent teamwork, with nobody getting obviously stuck as the Overshadowed One. (For those who don't understand the dreaded Overshadowed One Disease, please reference George Harrison, Bill Wyman, Roger Daltrey, Jermaine Jackson, and Merrill Osmond.) Along with their talent, Dead Poetic appear to have a rather cold determination to succeed; there's a story around that they passed out fifty copies of their demo tape to staffers at Tooth and Nail Records (SolidState is the hard imprint label of Tooth and Nail), hoping someone would take notice of them. It's to the label's credit that they were able to see the class act beyond the obvious ambition...and to the band's that they were willing to go so far in their single-minded drive to make it. Dead Poetic claim their musical influences are Thursday, Poison The Well, Zao, At The Drive-In, and Embodyment, but I hear something lighter going on as well—something likely to find a wider audience than that owned by any of those other bands. Not to say they're selling out at all—their debut album, Four Wall Blackmail stays true to their tough influences—but they put a catchy spin on it all that'll likely appeal to more people than are generally attracted to this sort of music. "Bliss Tearing Eyes," especially, offers a very different—gentle and lovely—sound and attitude. On several songs—"August Winterman," "The Corporate Enthusiast," and the title track come to mind—Rike's lyrics indicate an old soul (if you believe in such things); there's no way a man his age could have the life experiences necessary to write these songs. Bitterness and depression give way to the faith that sustains the entire band; all the members describe themselves as Christians (though they're careful to point out that they want to appeal to everyone, not just the Faithful). "We are all Christians, but we hope to break those stereotypes people have of Christians. We hope to provide a sense of refuge amidst legalistic principles that hold us back from moving forward with God." The first tune, "Burgundy," is only thrashing drums away from mainstream hard rock; the melody, Rike's voice, and the first-rate harmonies place this one squarely in the power pop category...until he lets loose with some utterly convincing growls and screams. The ending, hollow-sounding electronic distortion of the vocal, has tinges in it that belong in the same area as mainstream bands like Sisters of Mercy. Nicely done. "August Winterman," as compelling musically as lyrically, fits this category too—bitter fucking tough, but crafted to reach all sorts of people. Go ahead—call me old and out of touch; I admit to being more impressed with good singing than I am with snarling. "The Corporate Enthusiast," (one of the story songs) and "A Green Desire" prove Rike is able to switch back and forth between the two with seeming ease. The breathless throat-cancer sound I associate with emo-howling is used to good effect here and there, but the majority of his vocal performance is real singing. Even more surprising for this genre, he actually sings well! "Green Desire" also includes some excellent point-counterpoint singing and undistorted guitars that call to a very melodic, pop part of the hardcore scene. (Yes, there is one!) Even more surprising is the aforementioned "Bliss Tearing Eyes," which jumps out of the pack as either an utter anomaly or the sound of a band eager (and ready!) for a Top 40 hit; picture Neil Young with a good voice and KISS' "Beth" with more depth, and you might be able to imagine the oddball beauty of "Bliss Tearing Eyes." Special approving note to Zach Miles: He's as good a guitarist as anyone in the genre, and better than most. Even more mainstream-oriented is the title track, which could well be Dead Poetic's first solid hit. Occupying the same place musically as Rock and Roll Over-era KISS, this is just glorious real rock music! One note, though: The screaming fade-out is a little unsettling, after the beauty of the song proper, and it goes on just a tad too long. Still and all, this is hit material. "Tell Myself Goodbye" could fit this bill too; though weaker than "Four Wall Blackmail," (and more screamo), there're still plenty of hooks and Rike's voice yells success. You know there's got to be shit with the manna, right? In this case, the shit is "Ollie Otson," and "Stereochild," as bad a couple of shrieking, untuneful piles of cat dirt as I've heard in a while. It shocked me to hear them, as much as I enjoyed the rest of the album; I listened to them several times, hoping they'd grab me more upon repeated hearing. Didn't happen; they got worse each time, eventually becoming unlistenable, headache-inducing noise. Note to Dead Poetic: A goodly part of your charm is the careful balance between melodic rock and hardcore. Straight screaming and bad music don't impress. It says in their press release that Dead Poetic has played shows with Narcissus, Norma Jean (formerly Luti-Kriss), Featherweight, Spoken, Further Seems Forever, Embodyment, and mewithoutYou. That they don't fit musically with these other performers is weird enough (think: The Stones opening for Maria Callas), but it must also be strange for Dead Poetic to open for bands who're nowhere near as good as they are. I'd imagine that with the success they'll likely have, roles will be reversed fairly soon...and the somewhat pathetic quote, "When we are not touring, we will be playing out on the weekends," will soon have to be removed from their press release; I don't see this group having to hire out much longer, if their musical output continues in the manner of Four Wall Blackmail. Dead Poetic has a nicely arranged website, www.deadpoetic.com, on which the band members themselves post regularly. It's an unassuming site, requesting only that posters behave themselves (and warning that if the Forum gets too nasty, the Forum will disappear). Clearly, this band wants to be accessible to its fans, and they've chosen a charming and friendly manner in which to get to know the people who buy their music. I was oddly enchanted with this direct (well, as direct as such things can be in today's world) communication. Equally direct, charming, and unassuming is their music. If it hasn't been made quite clear that I like this band and album a great deal, then let me say it plain: Dead Poetic is something special, something important—and I strongly believe they're going places. Let's put it this way: If I hadn't gotten a review copy of Four Wall Blackmail for free, I'd have bought it anyway, and that's rare. With two hellacious exceptions, it's too good to miss. Buy it. © Copyright CultureDose.com 04/22/2002 ALL MUSIC GUIDE REVIEW EAST COAST ROMPER REVIEW |
