Drop Dead, Gorgeous - Worse Than A Fairy Tale

[Drew Beringer]

Drop Dead, Gorgeous – Worse Than A Fairy Tale
Release Date: August 14, 2007
Record Label: Suretone/Rise

I’m a sucker for concept albums, not gonna lie. I enjoy albums with a fluid storyline and use songs to explain a story. Concept albums were the hottest trend around 2004 and 2005 in the scene, but since then the quantity of such albums have decreased. Obviously, though, Drop Dead, Gorgeous did not get that memo. Their second album, and Suretone Records debut, Worse Than A Fairy Tale, tells of Saylor Lake, Colorado, where a killer sadistically killed 12 villagers between October 27th 1978 to September 7th , 1979. Produced by maestro Ross Robinson, Fairy Tale explores the mind of a psychopath and hysteria of a small town through 12 blistering tracks.

Lyrically, the album isn’t anything groundbreaking, but it’s not overly cliché. “Red Or White Win?” kicks off with Danny Stillman frantically saying “Nothing’s the same/fading away/you’ve been warned/you’ve been warned/for the last time.” Although his vocals can become grating on your ears at time, Stills and others do a great job of capturing the panic and insanity of the story.

The album’s strongest part, though, is the music. Unrelenting throughout, the majority of songs are composed without structure and full of chaos, perfectly complementing the mood of the entire idea of the album. It was produced masterfully by Robinson, whom has brought out the best in Drop Dead, Gorgeous. “Drawing The Devil” features guitars buzz-sawing their way through, while “They’ll Never Get Me (Word With You)” is a snapshot of the killer’s mind. Pummeling drums with intertwining guitar riffs followed by a duel between the piano and guitars in the breakdown make this track one of my favorites.

“It Sounded Like An Accident” hits harder than a punch in the face, while “Donner, Party Of Five” balances between quiet and loud, with Stillman’s vocals barely clinging on. The highlight of the album comes with the six and a half minute finale, “I Want To Master Life And Death,” which concludes the killer’s story as Stillman snaps and screams “You won’t find her body in time!” This may be the best track DDG have ever wrote, as it switches up vibes, styles, and intensity throughout, combining everything that is good about this band into one track.

So to be honest, I disliked Drop Dead, Gorgeous’ debut album In Vogue. From the album titles to the lyrics, it was just too much for me. Regardless, when I received Worse Than A Fairy Tale, I gave it a listen, and much to my surprised, I enjoyed it greatly. The flaws are there throughout the album, some lyrics are cheesy, the vocals can get on nerves, and some of the songs start to blend. We’ll put it this way: it’s not going to change the world, but it may change your initial opinion of the band. Listening Worse Than A Fairy Tale is like drinking a soda with every meal: you know there’s better out there, but you just can’t stop. And I’ll be damned if I don’t enjoy every second of it.

Track Listing:
1. Red or White Wine? - 3:26
2. Drawing the Devil - 4:28
3. The Pleasure to End All Pleasures - 3:27
4. Worse Than A Fairy Tale - 3:39
5. They'll Never Get Me (Word With You) – 3:32
6. It Sounded Like An Accident - 3:45
7. 45223 - 4:20
8. It's Pretty Hard to Beat the King - 3:23
9. Donner, Party Of Five - 4:32
10. Saylor Lake - 4:26
11. Bye Bye Blues (The Whole West Coast is Ruined) - 3:18
12. I Want to Master Life and Death - 6:36
Produced by: Ross Robinson

Drop Dead, Gorgeous are:
Danny Stillman - Vocals
Aaron Rothe - Keyboards/Vocals
Kyle Browning - Lead Guitar
Jake Hansen - Bass
Danny Cooper - Drums
Dan Gustavson - Rhythm Guitar

Official Website (http://www.worsethanafairytale.com); Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/dropdeadgorgeous)

[Drew Beringer]

I can't wait for these comments!

[yurmykryptonite]

as scene as they are i still like these guys and i just picked this album up and its real good

[elvis2x]

I will not take any postive review about this album seriously.

[Chuck!]

There were a handful of tracks on In Vogue that I liked, but the vocals really did become grating. I'll certainly give this album a spin or two, though, especially after this review.

Their vocalist sounded like CRAP on Warped... in fairness, though, I think he mentioned having the flu...

[Drew Beringer]

I will not take any postive review about this album seriously.
sweet!

[LiquorAndDick]

I couldn't agree more about the vocals getting on your nerves.
I still think if Aaron sang vocals on this album it would have been a whole lot better.

[kearn1tm]

I can't wait for these comments!

I enjoyed the review tremendously. Upon my initial spin of the album, my own thoughts and opinions echoed yours. It's very much the musical equivalent of a mindless summer blockbuster movie. The popcorn flick isn't particularly deep, subtle or moving; however the film is intense, pulsating and neckbreakingly fast and fun.

[Mase714]

Musically solid. Vocally awful. I don't like how he's in between a yell, a sing, and a scream and never really settles on one.

[MyWorldEntire]

Great Review Drew, obviously DDG isn't going to reinvent the genre, but they defintely bring alot of energy on this record.

[Chuck!]

I will not take any postive review about this album seriously.

open to other's opinions, i see

[Alex DiVincenzo]

Good review, Drew. Their first album was too much of an Underoath rip off to be enjoyable. It was good to hear that they've improved a lot with this album. I liked the few (real) screamo moments on here as well. It's still nothing special or great, but overall much more memorable than their first.

[eMart]

I was hoping for a pun, oh well.

[in10city]

i miss all the breakdowns and vocal distortion

[LillieDesigns]

For some reason this is a cd I've been really looking forward to and I have to agree with a lot fo people on here that there is a certain mindset you need to be in to enjoy this album. It's not one you just pop in whenever, it's an album that has a lot of things going on and when you're in the mood it's really fun to listen. A few typos in your review, but still a good read. Thanks!

[tm decomposer]

Qaaaaaaaqqqwwww

[Praetor]

It reminds me of Blake's JS review, in that it's a solid review, but I wholeheartedly disagree with it.

[bitterhalo]

it's weird, i actually really enjoyed in vogue and their ep before that, but this album really sucked to me. i definitely think it's because of the vocals, it was a mess. the songs on in vogue and the ep were very short like 2 minutes average so maybe that's why i wasn't as annoyed with them. these songs are definitely way too long for what they are. but good review nonetheless.

[March_Faster!!]

Being from Colorado myself, I enjoy the concept behind the album even more, but for me the album is just OK. Its a bit boring at times and the vocals do indeed get on my nerves. I'm glad to see them try something new, so for me, hopefully third times a charm.

[trindaddy]

im extremely skeptical, but i'll check it out. maybe it will give me a cheap thrill for awhile, or even grow on me.
nice review drew.

[seans seatbelt]

i tried listening to it once.. i only got 3 tracks in before i couldn't take it. maybe i'll give it another listen though.

[After Hours]

Interesting. I couldn't stand their first album, but I'll try again with this one.

[TomAce]

There were a handful of tracks on In Vogue that I liked, but the vocals really did become grating. I'll certainly give this album a spin or two, though, especially after this review.

Their vocalist sounded like CRAP on Warped... in fairness, though, I think he mentioned having the flu...

who gets the flu in the summer?

[ThisIsNotDan]

I heard 2 songs and liked 1. this could be interesting

[Bruycker]

I hate this band...
But I really enjoy reading all of your reviews!
Keep up the good work

[12:46AM]

you did a decent job defending your opinion.

but i still think this band is trash.

[mshoreline49]

i really liked in vogue and i hated this cd the first time i heard it, especially the single, and i blamed it on ross robinson for taking a normal song and turning it into a cacophony, but after a second rotation i started to pick up on how masterful this cd actually is. i really really enjoy this cd now. don't immediately write it off as shit.

[YolkBoots]

One of the worst vocalists I have ever heard. The music is listenable though.

[AndrewRocksSox]

I am one of those people that stuck by DDG, despite the bashing. Actually I bashed on them myself. On In Vogue it seemed like they had no talent at all lyrically and musically (minus the keyboard, my god haha). Every song was the same thing over and over again. In Vogue was basically the warm up round, it seems like they actually TRIED to write some music here. They took out a vast majority of the screaming from In Vogue and replaced it with whiney and out of breath vocals. So if you didn't like the vocals before chances are you still won't like them. DDG had a large amount of energy in their debut album, and so far (I'm half way through my first spin) it seems like they managed to keep up somewhat with the energy from before, and added in some not so boring lyrics and done more than just a breakdown-piano-breakdown pattern.

I'm enjoying it, but I don't believe that everyone will like it still. Most people probably won't get past the fact the name Drop Dead, Gorgeous is on the front, but for those who do it's not a complete letdown. This is still the same band, they havn't changed anything dramatically, they just improved little bits on what they did wrong before.

[tuxiboy]

In Vogue is better, but this one is still good. Growing on me.

[Chuck!]

who gets the flu in the summer?

wow, i never even thought about that

[newfoundmichael]

Yeah and the drummer was sick too at the Indy date...they posted a sign on their tent saying how they would do a signing but not be playing...but damn I hate this band.

[LillieDesigns]

wow, i never even thought about that

Ironically, the first year I went to Warped I was all up in the crowds and a few days later I had the flu. It's out there, ready to attack your immune deficient (no sleep, too many drinks, no vegetables on the road) body. :)

[LittleHeart7]

every song sounded the same on in vouge

[Chuck!]

Ironically, the first year I went to Warped I was all up in the crowds and a few days later I had the flu. It's out there, ready to attack your immune deficient (no sleep, too many drinks, no vegetables on the road) body. :)

interesting... i'm surprised i've never gotten sick from a show, now that i'm thinking about it

[Gumbyjag]

i wanted to buy this today but for lack of availability i couldn't.

[mxpunk.com]

i dont like this cd, it doesnt even sound like drop dead anymore

[damnitsashlee]

who gets the flu in the summer?

you can get the flu any time of the year just like the cold. duhh.

[xobstacleonex]

ive heard three songs.
and thats all i could take.

awful.

[tonighttonight0]

this albums killer...Drop Dead, Gorgeous has matured musically
and great review

[Mandycandypants]

I saw this band at Warped Tour and they were so bad, i wanted to shoot myself. Lol.

Bands like this are a dime a dozen. Theres is nothing original or special about them.

I will definately not be checking this cd out.

[airik625]

killer review!
see what i did there?!

[*crying stars*]

Good review.

The hardcore/scene kids all love Drop Dead, Gorgeous here; it's pretty hilarious because they act like they know the band personally.

[ArTkY_]

Hey, does anyone remember when I kept listening to In Vogue and couldn't stop and everyone made fun of me?

[uninc5858]

i think that for everyone who wished in vogue had a little bit more, and not just the mainstream breakdowns, this album kicks ass. its nice to here some good riffs from them, and too step it up enourmously musically. with that in mind, and the creepy, mind altering concept of the album, they did more than what they thought they could do. this album is nothing like anyone has heard before, me anyway. i fucking love it! and cant wait for some creepy ass hows. hopefully (we will see that they do)

[SoldYourSoul]

Reading the comments in reply to this review, I feel you're all missing one crucial piece: the vocals. The keyboard is more present here, the instruments as a whole, and the concept/lyrics have improved from the self-pitying, "emo" cliche lyrics of In Vogue. All this is true.

But Danny is an AWFUL singer! In Vogue was listenable because he screamed for the overwhelming majority. I like 2 songs from this album (drawing the devil and I want to master life and death) and I enjoy the concept, but the awful, moaning, whining lyrics kill it for me... I don't get it.

When listening to "Knife vs. face round 1" and "The show must go on" from In Vogue, I thought, "Wow, Danny's a great screamer, and Aaron (the keyboardist) has a very nice voice". I figured, if they realized this, their 2nd album would have Aaron do all the clean vocals and Danny all the screaming, as many other post-hardcore bands do.

That's why I don't love this album. I still like it to an extent. But honestly, the vocals are unbearable.

[denissuxx]

Spot on review

[Echo Park]

3 years later and i still love this album

[iMork]

6 on vocals????
7 musicanship??

this review really sucks


3 years later and still listen this brillant album.

the biggest album of drop dead and one the best albums of 2007

[JamesBond]

come closer girl I'll light you, on fire you deserve that much(x2)