Every Time I Die - New Junk Aesthetic
Rating
RIYL
Norma JeanMaylene and the Sons of Disaster
He is Legend
Release Date
09/15/2009
Label
EpitaphTracklist
1. Roman Holiday2. The Marvelous Slut
3. Who Invited The Russian Soldier?
4. Wanderlust
5. For The Record
6. White Smoke
7. Turtles All The Way Down
8. Organ Grinder
9. Host Disorder
10. After One Quarter Of A Revolution
11. The Sweet Life
12. Buffalo 666
13. Goddam Kids These Days
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Every Time I Die has no intention of fucking around on this album. The fun loving nature of both The Big Dirty and especially Gutter Phenomenon are in the past because on their latest effort, New Junk Aesthetic, they get right down to business. They’re as aggressive as ever, gnashing their teeth through 13 tracks with all of the members bringing their A-game.
Keith Buckley is known for his quick-witted lyrical style as he is not afraid to shock and awe his listeners. His writing could be described as violent, threatening, urgent, commanding, and sometimes just downright comical, but never have we seen Buckley truly open up to the rest of the world in his lyrics. This former English-school-teacher-turned-badass-frontman gets downright emotional on New Junk Aesthetic as feelings of self-doubt and paranoia pour out of him. This quality gives the disc a unique character and a much darker atmosphere than past releases. Tracks like the confessional “For the Record” where he exclaims, “God have mercy on my soul / I have had a good run but I can’t run anymore / Just put me down,” or, “Someday I’ll feel guilty but now’s not the time / I’m sure I’ll get what I’m due / Everything will be fine.” Even though Buckley’s lyrics themselves lack the usual confidence that could be found on an album like Hot Damn, this doesn’t mean his screams have lost the well-known passion they’re known to have. His screams have more purpose this time as you can feel the veracity in his voice in songs like the punk fueled “After One Quarter of a Revolution.” In this song, Buckley transitions from panicked screams to an animalistic growl as the energy pumps through the track created by both guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley, a pair that should never be separated.
Keith himself said that he could not believe the band could still be heavy and fast, but they have proven they are still capable with this album as it recalls the fury of Last Night in Town and a little bit of Hot Damn! here and there. Though it is certainly neither of those classics, they prove that they are the rightful creators of both albums. Jordan and Andy pick up their game as Mike “Ratboy” Novak and Josh Newton race to keep up with the pace set by the two axe-men. Songs can be short and chaotic, like “The Marvelous Slut” which is concise at a mere 1:43 but gets the job done. The tempo doesn’t slow down as they rip through “Who Invited the Russian Soldier” and the machine-like “White Smoke.” The catchy qualities of the past two releases are few and far between on this album, but there are a few that could serve as the single.
The obvious single is the song “Wanderlust” which is their current single that has a video accompaniment, as it is one of the more accessible songs on the album with the hook-laden chorus, “Oh lord knows I’m tired / But I won’t rest my head until I’m home / And if my hands find themselves another body / Well you can’t blame them for trying to keep warm.” The track “Turtles All the Way Down” follows the same style with a catchy chorus to compliment the slower tempo.
ETID had no problem with accepting some help from a few friends on this album, as there are guest appearances from The Bronx’s Matt Caughthran on “The Sweet Life” and The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato call and response with Keith on “The Marvelous Slut.” Apparently Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz makes an appearance on the album but there is no word as to what specific track he is on, nor is there a track where he is noticeably singing. Either way, the help is certainly welcomed by the boys from Buffalo.
New Junk Aesthetic is a stellar album that showcases the raw power of the Every Time I Die we all know and love. Now with Novak out of the picture, former Dead and Divine drummer Ryan “Legs” Leger has taken over the kit. It will certainly be interesting to see how this translates live since this is the first drummer change in the band’s history (they discard bassists like people throw pennies into a wishing well). Either way, there should be excitement for what is to come next in the world of ETID after such an impressive release.
--Andrew Beam
Comments
Glasgow, Scotland
Nice review. Looking forward to this release.
Atascadero, CA
albeit not terrible, far from their best work.. some good songs but not enough to warrant anymore than a 3 out of 5.
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Somewhere in New York
I think I was more drawn to the lyrical side of things and it just kind of brought it all together for me. Certainly not their best but I still think it's fantastic. Honestly though Chris, half a star?
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
PA
Sorry, I removed my rating.
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Minnesota
Why? Ashamed to tell us how you really feel about an album? Is that why you can't bring yourself to give Alesana the 5/5 you know they deserve? ;-)
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Dubuque
Dig this disc more than the last. Every Time I Die never disappoint in my book.
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PA
Haha. No I just didn't want to be a dick and rate an album without ever listening to it.
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Minnesota
Oh... so I shouldn't do that to every pop punk album that gets reviewed on this site?
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PA
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
West Haven, CT
Idknow. Their last CD was a good direction IMO. If this sounds more like Gutter, I'll give it 1 star and be done with these guys.
The Cityscape Burns Brighter By The Hour.
Somewhere in New York
I don't think this sounds anything like Gutter Phenomenon. It's much more raw than that. I actually started thinking more of Hot Damn! with this one, that could just be me though.
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
California
this blows. band is on the downturn of their careers maybe should give up while they are still putting out something it looks like some people still enjoy. next album could be dogshit.
San Borja, Lima, Perú
Definately not bad for me, one of the few 'hard' bands I can swallow these days. I think this is one of those bands that can pull this type of music off decently. I see myself missing them if they disband but I can't really set a rating since i'm on the first listen. Oh, and yes... vocals are ace in here.
Dallas, TX
Although this is no Hot Damn I find my self liking this more and more with each listen, certainly more than the Big Dirty.
Lehigh Valley, PA
Fantastic album. Big Dirty is my favorite from them though.
Big Dirty
Hot Damn!
New Junk...
Last Night In Town
Gutter...
Somewhere in New York
I can't stop spinning this album. My order though would have to be Last Night in Town -->Hot Damn!-->New Junk Aesthetic-->Big Dirty-->Gutter-->Burial Plot
"If someone gives you a kazoo and toots around the house to MTV, they're not gonna fuck you." - David Cross
Boston, MA
This is the exact same order I would have. I agree that this has more of a Hot Damn! feel. Last Night will always be my favorite and I wish they still sounded like that. I couldn't really get into Gutter or Big Dirty at all but this new one has a few songs that warrant multiple listens.
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Minnesota
This is decent. Way better than Big Dirty. That album was a pile of shit.
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San Diego, CA
I actually thought that was their best album. As far as this one goes, I say, barring some breath-taking release, it'll probably be the album of the year for me.
Too old to bother, too young to give a shit.