Underoath - Ø Disambiguation
Rating
RIYL
Norma JeanThrice
Poison The Well
Release Date
11/09/2010
Label
Solid StateTracklist
01. In Division02. Catch Myself Catching Myself
03. Paper Lung
04. Illuminator
05. Driftwood
06. A Divine Eradication
07. Who Will Guard the Guardians
08. Reversal
09. Vacant Mouth
10. My Deteriorating Incline
11. In Completion
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Everything that the music world thought they knew about Underoath as a band has changed, yet again. The trials and tribulations that have surrounded the band for over a decade would keep most bands from existing, but Underoath keeps chugging along, not missing a step in their push to continue releasing new music. Their newest album, Ø Dismambiguation, finds its release in a year full of doubt and questions surrounding the band and its future. Earlier in the year Aaron Gillespie, Underoath’s last remaining founding member, decided it was time for him to vacate the band and focus on his ministry duties and side project, The Almost. The chorus cleans and drum compositions that have been a trademark of Gillespie’s are now gone and in has stepped former Norma Jean kit-minder Daniel Davison. Davison doesn’t bring any type of vocal capacity to the table, nor does he bring a persona that will have scene kids buzzing over his next move. He does, however, bring a drumming style and ability that is most noteworthy on Norma Jean’s O God, The Aftermath and Redeemer. He’s sure to be a perfect fit for what the band wants to accomplish moving forward.
The first thing that most listeners will notice about Ø Dismambiguation is its dark, almost looming feeling, which is not only fueled by frontman Spencer Chamberlain’s lifelong struggles with addiction and religion, but the band's overall composition without Gillespie’s presence. Chamberlain’s lyrics are more straightforward than on previous records, letting the audience know that this album is about him, his struggles, and his lowest points in life.
As far as the instrumentation is concerned, the album is very much a natural progression from their last two records, Define The Great Line and Lost In The Sound Of Separation. The band as a whole does seem to be more focused on a common sound, with the heavy presence of ambience and a sort of atmospheric base being featured on most tracks. The opening track, "In Division," showcases the general growth of the band, from the Poison the Well-esque slide guitar to Chamberlain's layered clean vocals in the chorus, while "Driftwood," the album's first mellow track/interlude comes awfully close to being a Radiohead b-side. Other tracks, such as "Illuminator" and "A Divine Eradication" will remind listeners that this is still Underoath and that the band is transitioning into its post-Gillespie sound one step (album) at a time.
For anybody that has let this album slip through the cracks, be warned, you are missing out on what could be labeled Define The Great Line’s closest rival and one of the more impressive releases of the year in the genre. This album not only showcases a band in transition, but a band that seems as close to finding its identity as it has been in its 13+ years of existence.
--Brian Myers
Comments
Baton Rouge
Nice review, but...
Daniel Davison didn't play drums on The Anti-Mother. Chris Raines did. Also, Timothy McTague did not sing on this album. Spencer handled all of the vocals. Otherwise, I think you are right on with most of this. This album has kind of grown on me in the last few weeks.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Coopersburg, PA
Yeah, I was going to say Raines did the Anti-Mother, although both him and Davison have similar styles.
I absolutely love this album and like the post-Gillispie version of Underoath much better; his singing started to annoy me after awhile. Chamberlain's vocal performance is excellent and his singing fits perfectly with the dark tone of the music. Also, Davison's drumming style fits much better with this music, it's more rhythmic and dynamic and just overall better.
It's too early to say at this point, but this may be my favorite Underoath album yet, and it's challenging letlive for album of the year.
Minnesota
For modern Underoath, I rank their albums as such:
1. They're Only Chasing Safety
2. Define the Great Line
3. Lost in the Sound of Separation
4. Disambiguation
I feel like the band has continued to create great albums, but each one grabs me less and less than the one preceding it.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Coopersburg, PA
That's interesting. For me, their music seems to grow and change with my own musical tastes. When They're Only Chasing Safety Came out, I loved the mix between rock and hardcore, but then I started listening to darker-themed music so Define the Great the Line hit the spot for me there. Lost in the Sound of Separation never stuck with me for some reason, but Disambiguation once again hits home with me to the point where it's all I've been listening to.
Minnesota
Disambiguation and Sound of Separation are really, really similar for me. On any given day, I might prefer one over the other and the next go in the opposite direction.
For me, though, there is a significant difference in quality between Chasing Safety/Great Line and Separation/Disambiguation. The first two albums I could listen to over and over and over. The latter two... it's ok if they come up on random, but I won't actively toss them in.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Cincinnasty, OH
I feel the same way as Rick for the most part... They captured me with TOCS, held my attention with DTGL but they lost me on LITSOS but I really enjoy Disambiguation for the most part. As a whole I'm just not too sure that the disc is as fluid as I would like it to be but that may grow on me. I do really enjoy the clean singing of Spencer though and it's nice to hear a song written by these guys that isn't written with the intention of having two vocalists.
Does anyone else notice some similarities between Spencer and Anthony Green of Circa Survive? There are a few parts where the vocals seem almost interchangeable.
Baton Rouge
While I like this album and LITSOS, it seems like TOCS and DTGL weren't quite as businesslike. They took their time more, or focused on a single idea longer.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Coopersburg, PA
I absolutely hear the similarities to Anthony Green - particularly Green's performance on their newer album. It's got that grungy, but high-pitched sound to it.
As for the album as a whole, I feel like it's a more focused version of LITSOS without all the polished clean singing from Gillispie, which is perfect for me because I liked the tone of the last album but it didn't grab me like Disambiguation does. Only time will tell if this has as much staying power as their earlier releases, but I'm going to keep on enjoying it for now.
Spokane, Washington
i actually knew this but failed to realize what i had written until you mentioned it. i also had read that mctague did backup vocal work on this album, but maybe the source meant for the live versions...not sure.
Current Listenings:
7 Horns 7 Eyes - "Throes of Absolution"
Horse Feathers - "Cynic's New Year"
Andrew Bird - "Break It Yourself"
Sigur Ros - "Valtari"
Rocky Votolato - "Television of Saints"
Janus - "Nox Aeris"
Blues Traveler - "25"
Baton Rouge
He's singing backup live, but not on Disambiguation.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Raleigh, NC
Great review, love this album.
josh.hofer
corruptedlens.net
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Bronx, New York City
i had no idea this was even coming out. i'll grab it asap but i've been disappointed since "Define..." and i desperately wanted to love "Lost in the Sound..."
--FTTW--
Pittsburgh, PA
It's been almost two weeks since this came out and I'm still keeping my initial feelings. I love it.
RAAAAAAAAAAA!!!