Every Time I Die have been one of my favorite bands for quite a few years now. I heard their party anthem "The New Black" in the latter years of junior high, and began listening to them quite frequently. I loved that they embraced their party side in fun songs such as "The New Black" and "We'rewolf" and also showed their muscle in such hardcore staples "We've Been Gone A Long Time" and "Kill The Music." They are certainly a band that has their own style, and they embrace it, which should be an inspiration for other bands.
Here is a track-by-track review, followed by a album review as a whole at the end:
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1.) "Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space"
Count on ETID to name their first song something so outrageous that you assume it's going to be goofy. Unfortunately, you're dead wrong in assuming that. "Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space" is a hardcore song through-and-through, from the opening screaming vocals "I want to be dead with my friends" to the killer riffs that end the song. This song really sets a precedent for the rest of the album, which is that it'll be fast, punky, and cutthroat: everything I've ever wanted from them.
2.) "Holy Book Of Dilemma"
This track continues the punk attitude, and delivers it with a swinging hardcore vibrato that only ETID can do. This song definitely brings the ferocity, and I'm fairly certain that I heard a double kick part or two in there. This track definitely brings back memories of ETID's first two albums, "Burial Plot Bidding War" and "Hot Damn!" which were hardcore classics. This song only weighs in at about 1:49, so it's short and to-the-point, but definitely worth checking out.
3.) "A Wild, Shameless Plain"
This song is another short one, clocking in at about 1:49 as well, but it has a hardcore swagger that refuses to be ignored. ETID brought their abstract element to certain parts of this song, such as a small guitar track here or there, but this is another hardcore rager.
4.) "Typical Miracle"
This song has a punk-inspired intro, which quickly transforms into one of vocalist Keith Buckley's best screaming efforts. This song sounds something similar to something you would have heard off of the most recent Bronx album, in terms of punk-fused-hardcore, but it's definitely another one worth listening to. Guitarists Jordan Buckley and Andy Williams have a field day on this one in terms of tempo-change, but it's yet another short one at only 2:25.
5.) "I Suck {Blood}"
The first noticeable thing about this song is the drumming, which is fast and to-the-point, and it's definitely new drummer Ryan Leger's coming out party, featuring several double-bass moments and fast-paced tempos previously unheard of in ETID's history. It follows in the same veins as the original songs in term of structure, but is a little longer (nearly 3 minutes) but features a very sing-along-worthy chorus and a breakdown that almost dares you to headbang or air drum along.
6.) "Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow"
This is the ETID I fell in love with. Fueled by a banjo intro, the song quickly develops into a Southern-inspired party anthem, very similar to something that would have been heard on their most accessible album to date, "The Big Dirty." However, this song is anything from being "soft." Several hardcore-inspired breakdowns mark the middle and the end of the song, but it's definitely a beer-swilling song if I've heard one.
7.) "The Low Road Has No Exits"
Jordan Buckley and Andy Williams have yet another field day, and this song is probably the most intense song, guitar-wise, ETID have ever written. The speed in the tremolo picking is something that quickly grabs your attention, as it's something this band have never been known for. This is yet another rager of a song, noticeable for the creepy near-silence of the end, which sounds something similar to a musical version of the aliens from the movie "Signs."
8.) "Revival Mode"
This song sounds like something that would have been on Keith Buckley's side project, The Damned Things, as it's more similar to that band it's not as intense as anything else on this album. However, this does not mean it's a bad song, at all. It's slightly less-tempo, but has a creepy swagger to it that ETID hasn't ever embraced. This is my pick for stripper anthem of the year.
9.) "Drag King"
I was anticipating this song more than any of the others, simply because previous reviews I had read hyped it to no end. Did it live up to the hype? YES. The first half is noticeable for having the muscle that ETID showed on their last album, "New Junk Aesthetic," fueled by shearing vocals and cutthroat tempo changes; while the second half is melodic as all get-go, with soaring background vocals and the soothe crooning of Keith Buckley.
10.) "Touch Yourself"
Quite a provocative song title, no? Unfortunately, the song isn't as sexy as you'd think. It's instead the most "punk-ish" song on the album, and sounds like a song from "Hot Damn!" wrapped up in the great production of "New Junk Aesthetic." Keith Buckley seemingly doesn't breathe throughout this entire track, and his voice sounds as vicious as ever.
11.) "Indian Giver"
Easily the most abstract song on the album, which I guess is good for an album closer. This song is noticeable for differentiating between their hardcore punch and a eerie, spacy rub. The chorus, mid-section, and finale all carry forth a David Bowie-inspired sound, which is really what sets this song apart from the rest. I'd have to say it's their most epic song, in terms of branching out, and ends things on an unsettling note, which is a good thing in my book.
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Vocals:
Keith Buckley has never sounded better, if you ask me. The production on his last release, The Damned Things, didn't do his voice justice in terms of the mix, and this album puts his voice front and center (where it should be),without alienating the other instruments. His screams have never sounded more cutthroat and vicious, while his singing voice has never been in more of a hardcore-inspired Frank Sinatra croon.
Guitars:
While this album features very little in terms of flashy solos, the guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley definitely get their due. Songs such as "The Low Road Has No Exit" and "Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow" feature things they've never shown off before, such as fast tremolo-picking and banjo playing (for crying out loud). The cuts between tempos in a song has never sounded better than on this album, and the two play not only well off of each other, but also off of the given song. Also, the groove in the riffs on this album is something that they haven't experienced (in my book) since "Gutter Phenomenon."
Bass:
Since bassist Josh Newton left a few months ago, it doesn't surprise me that the bass is turned down in the album mix. I can't remember hearing a second of uninterrupted bass, which isn't disappointing in the slightest: ETID has always been about big guitars and soaring vocals, and the bass has never played an important part on any of the albums.
Drums:
Although I loved former drummer Michael "Ratboy" Novak, and was sad to see him go, new drummer Ryan Leger definitely earned the ETID Seal Of Approval. He brought an intensity to the skins that hasn't been seen in the band (ever), and added much to their hardcore sound. Major props to the new guy for stepping up and adding something new to the band!
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Album:
I loved this album. It seems to be a direct follow-up to "New Junk Aesthetic," and honestly sounds like a mixture of that album and "Hot Damn!" Besides a few songs, this album is nothing but beer and whiskey-inspired hardcore, suitable for a drunken night either in or out. My only complaint is that it's too short, as I tend to like my albums at about an hour long. This album clocks in at somewhere between half an hour and 45 minutes, which several of you readers may actually prefer.
I'm glad that ETID are a band that knows where they come from, and it shows on this album. They show a brevity of respect for their fans in doing so, while also pushing the envelope in terms of how they write songs and forcing the listener to embrace it. It's truly rare that a band has their own unique sound nowadays, and ETID I do it with a smile on their face and a beer in their hand. If you like anything that ETID have done before, or are interesting in a hardcore album that's light-hearted enough to listen to at a barbecue, then check this one out when it drops on May 6th.
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