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OKComputer1016
11/08/08, 01:37 PM
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead – Festival Thyme EP
Record Label: Justice Records
Release Date: October 21, 2008

Who?

A couple years ago, these guys put out what has got to be one of the best albums ever made by anybody, called Source Tags & Codes. If you don’t already own that, then stop reading this review right now and fix that. Afterwards they unfairly lost some of their buzz with Worlds Apart and their latest So Divided (which their official website refers to as “critically unacclaimed”), and so a lot of rumors circulated that the band had called it quits due to poor record sales. Well, let this EP be your evidence that this is not the case, and let it whet your appetite for the currently untitled full length, scheduled to be released in early 2009.

How is it?

First, let me say I’m just so incredibly happy to hear that Trail of Dead are still making albums. But second, hells yes this is worth hearing! The sounds logically lean more towards the huge, less punk direction of So Divided than anything else; the guys still want to craft the most epic sounding indie rock imaginable. The title track is layered with piano and acoustic guitar so that the sound can best be described as thick (and also, of course, awesome.) “The Bells of Creation” has got a Source Tags type vocal in the chorus that complements some Who-sounding chords in the verse, and plus the lyrics “I felt like Satan” are a nice selling point as well. “The Betrayal of Really Long Title” is a slow-building 70’s rocker that makes me wish the word “epic” had more synonyms… sorry about that. If this is any indication of what the new album is going to sound like, fans should be very pleased.

Track Listing
01. The Bells of Creation (Machete Mix)
02. Inland Sea (Edit)
03. Festival Thyme
04. The Betrayal of Roger Casement and the Irish Brigade

Recommended if You Like:
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead’s So Divided, but even bigger.

Judge For Yourself:
www.myspace.com/trailofdead (http://www.myspace.com/trailofdead)

Jeremy Aaron
11/08/08, 02:41 PM
Source Tags & Codes > So Divided > Worlds Apart

All three are really good, though. Glad to see someone else feels the harsh criticism of their last two albums was undeserved (though they clearly weren't as good as Source Tags). Source Tags was actually the album I chose to listen to on my way in to work this past Tuesday after casting my ballot, something I'll probably always associate that album with now. It's pretty appropriate though. An epic album for an epic day.

This definitely has me excited for the upcoming full-length.

muttley
11/08/08, 06:16 PM
interesting name...
i'll have to check 'em out.

bung
11/08/08, 06:46 PM
They're never gonna make anything close to the greatness of Source Tags & Codes again, which is pretty sad.

Sgt. Pepper's
11/08/08, 07:53 PM
Loved Source Tags & Codes but their stuff after that has not been as good.

GlassyLight
11/08/08, 09:30 PM
So I may be in the minority (fuck, I AM the minority) but I truly do prefer Worlds Apart to Source Tags & Codes. It's leaps and bounds ahead in ambition and sonic crafting, and the lyrics are the best the band's ever crafted.

I really wish I knew when "progressive" became a curse.

Osto
11/08/08, 09:47 PM
Just had a thread about this a little while ago, went relatively unnoticed. They're a criminally overlooked band.

Sic Transit Zeb
11/08/08, 09:48 PM
terrible band name kept me from checking them out but i'll check out their earlier stuff just cuz you say it is so good

apresnuledeluge
11/08/08, 10:33 PM
The album art looks like Skies of Arcadia.

ManInMusicBox
11/09/08, 03:27 AM
I agree with the above posting. Worlds Apart, IMO, is their best work. They definitely tried to perfect the art and I believe that they did. That album was spun so many times on my car CD player before the iPOD came out. Such an amazing band. Glad they are still together (Chino from Deftones loves them too). A very...very.............VERY.....un derappreciated and non-played band. All of their albums are amazing in my eyes, nose, ears, whatever...

DoesJosieCare
11/09/08, 03:51 AM
I don't really like them, not my bowl of cereal I guess.

lostintheair
11/09/08, 07:06 AM
worlds apart and so divided are so much better than source tags

Osto
11/09/08, 08:09 AM
Source Tags & Codes is one of the greatest albums in the past 20 years. Worlds Apart and So Divided...are not.

crooked spin
11/09/08, 08:11 AM
Uh, they put out TWO great albums before Source Tags, how come everyone here is oblivious to that fact?

Osto
11/09/08, 08:27 AM
Madonna is quite awesome...not too big on the self titled though.

Mediocrity
11/09/08, 09:51 AM
Worlds Apart is - compared to ST&C and Madonna - a joke. The Secret of Elena's Tomb was pretty crummy as well. So Divided isn't worth anybody's time.

circasurviver
11/09/08, 10:21 AM
So I may be in the minority (fuck, I AM the minority) but I truly do prefer Worlds Apart to Source Tags & Codes. It's leaps and bounds ahead in ambition and sonic crafting, and the lyrics are the best the band's ever crafted.

I really wish I knew when "progressive" became a curse.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I love Source Tags & Codes but Worlds Apart is just on a whole other level for me. I'm glad to see a review for this ep (it's the first review I've seen for it) I hope it will help these guys gain some much needed attention. Cant wait for the LP. "How they laughed as we shoveled the ashes of the twin towers. Blood and death, we will pay back the debt for this candy store of ours."

Praetor
11/09/08, 11:22 AM
Their albums have always been hit or miss for me...mostly hit, but each one seems to have a few stinkers (even Source Tags & Codes...but only one or two. Easily their best.) I haven't heard their albums before STC, should I get on that?

Also, this was a good review. I should listen to this EP.

Osto
11/09/08, 12:13 PM
The Elena's Tomb EP was awesome, definately my second favorite behind ST&C, then this new EP.

Ryzenfall
11/09/08, 03:14 PM
Alright, apparently we aren't going to all agree on any album as a clear hands down best... so for a new listener, which album should I start with?

bung
11/09/08, 03:19 PM
Anyone who says Source Tags is not their best album is truly an idiot with no hear for decent music at all.

WakeUpBlondie
11/09/08, 05:57 PM
Riyl?

Osto
11/09/08, 06:08 PM
Riyl?

At the Drive In, Cursive, Modest Mouse, Minus the Bear, Death Cab....they don't really sound like anyone else, especially Source Tags & Codes and after, but there are shared elements of their music and most people either love them or hate them. Source Tags & Codes is a masterpiece and one of the best albums of the past 20 years, but Worlds Apart might be better to start with.

Osto
11/09/08, 06:10 PM
Alright, apparently we aren't going to all agree on any album as a clear hands down best... so for a new listener, which album should I start with?


Source Tags & Codes = Indie Rock Masterpiece
Worlds Apart = More Accessible

Manbotisdead
11/09/08, 09:17 PM
I like Source Tags and Codes, but it is most definitely one of the most overrated albums in the past 10 years.

hardpill
11/10/08, 02:22 PM
Love everything these guys do.

bung
11/11/08, 05:17 PM
I like Source Tags and Codes, but it is most definitely one of the most overrated albums in the past 10 years.
Grossly incorrect.

Osto
11/11/08, 06:58 PM
It really is THAT good. It should be so much bigger than it is.

iseethesun123
11/12/08, 01:13 PM
Great stuff

a.frm
11/16/08, 09:53 AM
never could understand why everybody says Source Tags is their greatest, for I was always amazed by the sound of "Madonna". It was the first album I heard by them and then I heard "Source Tags" and was kinda disappointed. "Worlds Apart" and "So Divided" are nice but nothing really special. And the new EP is kinda much like its predecessor.

chelseaxsmilexD
07/08/09, 12:17 PM
1.) best band name ever.
2.) this review is too positive for a 77%