...and you will know them by the Trail of Dead - Source Tags And Codes (Insterscope)

Has big-label status made the Trail of Dead boys go soft? Well sadly, yes. This album lacks the raw energy of the last two, and sounds far more controlled. It almost sounds like the band has – shock- tuned its instruments! It is a more tuneful album, but it lacks any true standout tracks. The blinding musical ability is still present with layers of sound, overlapping each other brilliantly on the first two tracks Invocation and It Was There That I Saw You. These first two songs give you hope that this album will be almost as good as Madonna, but its all downhill from there. Major single Another Morning Stoner is a discordant, boring mess, which is far more controlled than anything I’ve ever heard the Texan outfit produce. This album is far better produced than the previous two, but trying to distinguish Conrad Keely’s voice from the thunderous accompaniment is sometimes difficult. 

All songs on this album have been very well put together and structured very soundly, but this melodic approach doesn’t suit the band. Many of the tracks are slower and slightly duller on this album, but track nine Days of Being Wild shows glimpses of the Trail of Dead boys we know and love with a more riotous, art-rock approach. Bonus track Bloodrites also gives you an idea of what this band usually sound like with a much more upbeat feeling to it.       

Despite all of my grumbling, I still really like this album, mainly because of the sheer quality of the band. The instruments blend together better than Bonnie and Clyde, resulting in a masterclass in how to avoid record company constraints. Rather than progressing, using the new higher budget, they seem to have taken two steps back, making this album sound like a better made version of the first album in places. I’m still not sure if they can ever surpass the superb “Madonna” album but if they stop holding back they just may. 

In my opinion the band have been controlled by the puppet-masters in the boardroom at Interscope to make this album more consumer, and obviously more money friendly.

-Captain UJ