Artist: Dead Poetic
Album: Vices
Label: Tooth and Nail Records
Purchase: Interpunk
Release Date: October 31st, 2006
Overall: 9.5
Music: 8.9
Lyrics: 9.9
Production: 10.0
Dead Poetic is a band that has evolved from this screaming, underground band into a band that seems to have found their style in which they [appear to be] are very comfortable. Straight up rock would be the best category to place this release into, and it may just be me but that category has seemed to be lacking this year and thus this record hits a sweet spot of musical goodness.
Musically, Vices is full of energy and aggression. The opening song â┚¬Ã…”Cannibal vs. cunningâ┚¬? starts with quick drums then right into the crunchy guitars that create a wall of sound. â┚¬Ã…”Self-destruct and dieâ┚¬? starts slower but before you know it, itâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s up to speed with the others. â┚¬Ã…”Paralyticâ┚¬? starts with a cool spacey feeling, and mellow vocals that then become distorted. The song has slow verses but then breaks into these big choruses. The song hits hard about 2:40 into the song and doesnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t let up till the end, definitely ranking high on my favorites on this record.
The word vice comes from the Latin word vitium, meaning “failing or defect”. I got that from Wikipedia, and as soon as I read that, I knew why the newest Dead Poetic record is called Vices. Lyrically, this record is all about our defects and having to deal with the things that every person struggles with. The record is a seemingly dark one, with song titles like â┚¬Ã…”Self-destruct and dieâ┚¬? and â┚¬Ã…”Crashing downâ┚¬? and the lyrics â┚¬Ã…”The fire burns like cancer, the scarring lasts foreverâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬?. Although the CD may feel dark at times, I see this record as more of one that is full of hope. The songs, while dealing with deep issues, still have a positive outlook that shines through. This album takes all the things in life that no one likes to talk about and faces the issues head on, which can best be summed up with the lyrics from the song vices â┚¬Ã…”Iâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ve got vices like any other manâ┚¬Ã‚¦Vices that will make you think less of meâ┚¬?.
This is a different, yet not foreign, Dead Poetic than we have seen before, but I think they shine like we havenâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t seen them do so before. And while I donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t think this new style will alienate any previous dead poetic fans, I think they will be gaining more after Vices hits stores on Halloween.
Track listing
1 Cannibal Vs. Cunning
2 Lioness
3 Self-Destruct And Die
4 Narcotic
5 In Coma
6 Long Forgotten
7 Pretty Pretty
8 Sinless City
9 The Victim
10 Paralytic
11 Animals
12 Crashing Down
13 Copy Of A Copy
14 Vice
I listened to this a couple of times today. First listen: the music sounds pretty good, the guitars seem to be the drive for this CD. This is a new Dead Poetic on this album, there are some things that remind you of “New Medicines” but for the most part this is a different approach for the band.
Second listen: The lyrics don’t seem to be very moving, “New Medicines” had a lot of sing along parts but “Vices” seems to be missing some of those upbeat parts.
Overall: I’ll be listening to this album more and I think it will grow on me, but just not in the way “New Medicines” did.
there were alot of good things about new medicines, but i agree the disc’s are just too different to compare to each other.
there was just something about Vices that I just really liked and had been wanting to hear. I think this is an album that will have to grow on people, the hooks arent as obvious as new medicines
This album is extremely different. I’ve heard people say that they won’t like Dead Poetic anymore. But how can you not like a band that throws caution to the wind and changes with each album? And this one is just a straight up rock record. No screaming, which surprised me quite a bit and this time the drums don’t do way too much. A lot more solemn moments on this album than on New Medicines. This one’s definitely my favorite.
Okay everyone who says this is not very good..is well stupid. Vices is there best cd ever. It has screaming in it. Very much so..there is even the high pitched scream like in new med. I think the song long forgotten has it the most. Its a great cd. And if you ever liked dead poetic and you don’t like this then i must say youre not a true fan. They have changed and evolved each cd. They are amazing for it. And moreover the lyrics are amazing. Especially on vices, the lyrics there are just amazing. I got the cd from interpunk yesterday and i listened to it three times straight through. ITs amazing.
ouch
haha, ya kinda although i do agree with what you said. in another time and place i might have given this release an 8.5, but i just really enjoy the lyrics and the music is just something that i have been wanting to hear for awhile they happen to come at a time when it just hit a sweet spot for me
I fully stand behind my review and what I gave it, just saying i can understand if someone were to give it lower.
hopefully people are giving out scores based on other things than the record itself.
reviewing albums, bands, shows or whatever is not a job in which you do to make friends. (i.e. one of my favorite movies almost famous)
It’s a new season for Dead Poetic and they’ve definitely started on the right foot. Let me say first off that I am tired of the whiny “fans” that have been complaining about the change in direction and lack of screaming on the record. Get over it. Vices is hands down the best album by Dead Poetic. Those who say it isn’t emotionally moving, listen to “Vices” and “Paralyzed” a couple of times and you might change your mind. I personally think this is the best album to come out this year. It’s musically consistent, it still incorporates elements of both New Medicines and Four Wall Blackmail, while being it’s own project as well. Lack of screaming aside, this is the same Dead Poetic, their sound has just matured, big time. If you want a trendy screamo record, I suggest you look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a fresh new sound in rock music Vices is definitely the choice. I for one prefer the latter.
I agree with Josh. Really, i have two or three friends who stopped listening to DP, and are annoying me also becaus they wont stop complaining.
However, I also know a couple faithful fans who stick with them no matter what.
This is just like when TFK switched their music. It’s not fair for them if they want to explore, and lose fans along the way. I stick by Josh’s rating of a 9 to 8.5!
Vices is one of the most personal, beautiful songs I have ever heard. I have never heard a man talk about sexual impurity like this before in my life.