To start this blog off on the right note, let's start with my favorite band, Dance Gavin Dance. Their genres include post-hardcore, emo, experimental, and even some jazz and soul. This band started in 2005 and released their first EP in '06. While Downtown Battle Mountain was the hook that caught me, I later went back to the EP and ended up falling in love with it. Things to notice on the first two releases would be Jonny Craig on lead vocals absolutely blowing every other singer in the game out of the water and the technical, impressive musicianship. Due to cocaine/heroin abuse they booted Jonny (unfortunately) just as they peaked while touring DBM in late '07. The next two albums brought in Kurt Travis as the vocalist and while the albums are different in style, he was a solid replacement. Kurt brought a different feel; instead of the hard-to-decipher emotional croons of Jonny, Kurt brought a bird-like longing sadness in his voice that spoke with such honesty. The self-titled album was another complete album with numerous solid songs. Happiness brought a, well, happy vibe to the band as the sound became more of an upbeat experimental party. As Kurt's smoking began hurting his voice (see live shows), the band moved on and brought Jonny back for DBM2, the sequel to the band's staple DBM. After Jonny brought more issues, the band brought in Tilian Pearson from Tides of Man. Tilian brings a high vocal range similar to Jonny but with a sort of robotic pop sound. With Tilian the band has recorded 3 albums: Acceptance Speech, Instant Gratification, and Mothership.
Must haves: EP, DBM, self-titled, Happiness (and all favorite tracks)
For fans of: Chiodos, At the Drive-In, Fall of Troy, Circa Survive
Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean EP (2006)
Must haves: EP, DBM, self-titled, Happiness (and all favorite tracks)
For fans of: Chiodos, At the Drive-In, Fall of Troy, Circa Survive
Whatever I Say Is Royal Ocean EP (2006)
Here on this EP, look for raw emotion in everything from the production sound to the revealing hurt of Jonny as he soars through sections you couldn't even attempt. Recording vocals around 4am while on drugs and making things up on the spot, the lead vocals are at times indecipherable but this almost brings a 'real' sense to his thoughts, like a freewrite from his mind to the song.
Rating: 4/5
Favorite tracks: Robot Pt 1 & 2, Burning Down the Nicotine Armoire
My favorite album of all time right here. Literally around 1000 spins if not more. I know every note, every word to this album and it comes with reason. If you have yet to hear this, do so immediately. Written during a time of inner turmoil stemming from the vocalist Jonny's drug abuse and combative egos, this album is a Tour de France in musicianship. As the members compete to outdo each other this album reaches new heights where a diamond like this needed the rough. The drums and guitars are among some of the most impressive I've ever heard. The clean vocals here will grab you in the initial moments and keep you glued throughout. An interesting dynamic here is the singing/screaming interacting at times like an alter-ego which deepens the context of the song.
Rating: 5/5
Favorite tracks: And I Told Them I Invented Times New Roman, It's Safe to Say You Dig the Backseat, Lemon Meringue Tie, The Backwards Pumpkin Song
Rating: 5/5
Favorite tracks: And I Told Them I Invented Times New Roman, It's Safe to Say You Dig the Backseat, Lemon Meringue Tie, The Backwards Pumpkin Song
The first album of theirs I purchased, I got this when I only knew maybe two or three songs from DBM but i loved them. This album is Kurt Travis' first with the band, and his style is instantly noticeable. While similar in style to DBM's riff based heaviness, Kurt makes this sound fresh with a whole new angle and sound. This album was the last before screamer Jon Mess took a break due to having Lyme disease.
Rating: 4/5
Favorite tracks: Alex English, Me and Zoloft Get Along Just Fine, Uneasy Hearts Weigh the Most, Robot Pt 3
After Jon Mess took time off, this album was understandably going to sound different. Happiness, like the album alludes to, brings a new funk sound with an upbeat, party feel and it sounds great. Also new for the band was introducing a rapping part for guitarist Will Swan which came as a funny surprise while also being fused really well with the song.
Rating: 3.5/5
Favorite tracks: Tree Village, NASA, Carl Barker, Self-Trepanation
The hype for this album was real. Jonny Craig was coming back to DGD for a sequel to DBM, the band's pinnacle album. While Jonny in his time off had put out albums as the singer in Emarosa, it was noticeable he was losing his touch because his ego wouldn't stop inflating. Here Jonny doesn't sing as high in register (notice i had to specify it wasn't drugs). Jonny has some moments here but nothing climactic or raw like DBM. Also, Jon Mess is back so they have their sing/scream dynamic in tact. For entertainment, check out the silly lyrics Jon Mess put together here. While this album is solid on the front half, like the artwork, it's cluttered.
Rating: 3.5/5
Favorite Tracks: Spooks, Need Money, Elder Goose, Blue Dream
Acceptance Speech was Tilian's first album with DGD. Sort of his "acceptance speech" to the audience, he alters the sound of the band towards something more progressive with pop hints. Tilian does okay, but his robotic sound and happy/girly/pop vocals make me cringe at times. The heavier songs that focused more on Jon Mess came across better to me.
Rating: 3/5
Favorite Tracks: Carve, Doom & Gloom, Strawberry Swisher Pt 3, Demo Team
The second album with lead singer Tilian, he shows signs of improvement here. Whereas Jon Mess' screams were the strength of the previous record, Tilian occasionally impresses here. As one track references, the two sound like an eagle vs a crow in terms of vocal delivery; Tilian soars as Jon harshly screams bringing a dichotomy that improves the wholeness to their sound. This album was given album of the year on kingdom-leaks.com so you know it's good.
Rating: 3/5
Favorite Tracks: We Own the Night, Awkward, Variation
Released only two days ago, this album maintains the sound established with Tilian. Maybe this will be a grower, but so far it's more eh than solid, albeit reviews speak highly. Once again, the band experiments here with things like auto-tune and another rap part as a curveball, with neither really hitting the mark.
Rating: 2.5/5
Favorite Tracks: Inspire the Liars, Betrayed By the Game
