Album Review: ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - IX

Alternative rock, or what passes for it these days, is not something I keep apprised of, so much of the rock music the greater populace knows about are the sorts of bands that have slipped past my radar. Trail Of Dead, as I will shorten the name for the sake of my sanity, are one of those bands that for whatever reason I have never had the opportunity to experience. I have heard the name countless times, and it seems like I have known their music, but I haven't. That goes to show the state of rock music today; a band that has been around this long, and achieved their amount of notoriety, is one that I still have never heard a note of music from.

“IX” is, creatively, their ninth album. I could spend a few paragraphs on that topic, but I'll restrain myself. “The Doomsday” starts the album off with plenty of pounding drums, as the guitars swirl in the background as more coloring then propulsive force. Acoustics are layered underneath, as the vocals snarl lyrics I can't possibly make out. It's a suitably pretty backdrop, although I can't say there's anything at all in the mix that is compelling.

“Jared Apostles” follows in the same spirit, with pounding toms (a sound I love far more than bass drums, especially those played frantically) and an ethereal atmosphere. Once again, however, for all the hazy beauty the sound conjures, the song doesn't have much meat on the bone. Once you get past the perfectly textured sound, you realize the rest is empty calories. To put it another way, the album is more production than songs.

Your opinion on that statement will depend on what you listen to music for. If you just want something pleasant to listen to, or you love the beauty that sound can create, there's plenty about “IX” for you to enjoy. The sounds are all lush, organic, and to use a cooking term, sumptuous. The atmosphere on these songs is wonderful, and it's easy to sit back and relax while these sounds wash over you. However, if you listen to music for tightly constructed songs with riffs and melodies that capture your attention, this will not be as enjoyable an experience. Trail Of Dead is not a band that is going to bowl you over with traditionally catchy songwriting, and “IX” is not an album that will scratch that itch.

What “IX” is, more than anything, is an example of the experimental side of alternative rock. Songs like these test the limits of what can be digestible to a mainstream audience. Asking listeners who don't love stoner rock and drone to appreciate what is going on here takes some convincing, as there's not a whole lot that connects this music to what such a listener would be expecting. “Lie Without A Liar” is close, but still dabbles enough in spacey sounds to keep one foot out the door.

“IX” reminds me of an art-rock version of a band like Two Cow Garage. They both use the same basic sonic palate, but in very different ways. Two Cow Garage writes tight pop songs with a messy sound, while Trail Of Dead writes messy songs with a tight sound. They are the yin and yang of this particular sound. Myself, I fall on the other end of the spectrum, as I prefer my music to get straight to the point. “IX” is an album that doesn't tilt heavily enough towards songwriting for my own liking, but I can understand what the band is going for. They understand how to use their instruments, and the studio, to set a mood. I just wish that mood had more of a reason for existing.

Chris C

Music Reviewer

Chris is a professional intellectual. He graciously shares his deep thoughts on the world of music with the world. You're welcome.