Another decade, another brilliant DEP album
General Zombie | the West | 03/24/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With "Option Paralysis," The Dillinger Escape Plan, one of extreme metal's most unpredictable groups, release a somewhat predictable album. Though it contains refinements and slight variations on their sound, there isn't much here that one couldn't imagine on a previous release. As a raving fanboy for the last 8 or so years, I would hardly want DEP to radically alter their sound, mind you, but there's little use denying that they are currently filling in and adding color to their niche, rather than truly expanding it. Fortunately, other aspects that remain from prior releases are the impeccable musicianship and an unsurpassed songwriting sense for a technical band. DEP have here, more than on "Miss Machine" or "Ire Works," achieved a balance between the kinetic, rhythmically baffling avant-garde jazz-metal of "Calculating Infinity" with their more melodic and industrial/electronic influenced side. All this makes "Option Paralysis" a first-rate summation of DEPs career thus far, and while I'm not yet prepared to ascertain its relative position within the DEP canon, I am ready to declare it another blistering, 5 star masterpiece. (That's 4 in a row, for those keeping score . . .)
DEP's oft-changing lineup has been mixed up again with the addition of Billy Rymer on drums. Neither Pennie or Sharone seem easy to replace, but a collaborative as talented as DEP surely has the pick of the crop when it comes to new members, and Rymer is more than up for the task. As I have heard others suggest, Rymer seems to be more of a pure rock drummer than his more jazz-inflected predecessors, but he can still manage the absurd time signatures and changes with dexterity while adding perhaps even more brute force. The rest of the group remains the same, with bandleader Weinman apparently filling in all of the guitar duties and the underappreciated Wilson getting a bit more room in the mix this time to show off his considerable talents. (This has the best production since their debut, imo.) Most notable, however, is Puciato's continued improvement. While I've always thought he was often unjustly and sometimes idiotically criticized (he's too muscular!), he's undoubtedly developed better control and range than previously, and blends into the cacophony with ease.
At ten tracks and over 41 minutes, "Option Paralysis" is DEPs longest and most balanced record. While "Ire Works" was perhaps slightly short on the pure tech-metalcore mayhem, here DEP set the record straight with a longer batch of "Calculating Infinity" style crushers. "Endless Endings" replicates the sound of that classic most perfectly, with some of their most elaborate riffs and unbelievable drum thunder giving way to some smoother but still incredibly frenetic atmospheric jazz material, while "Room Full of Eyes" has among the noisiest, most uncontrolled guitarwork in their catalog. They do mix things up a bit more on this material than in the past, with some relatively simple, bludgeoning break in "Good Neighbor" and the smooth, jazzy piano that accompanies the middle of "I Wouldn't If You Didn't." This pure mathcore material is all ferocious and expertly executed, and if it isn't quite as devastating as the best work on "Calculating Infinity" well, neither is anything else.
"Widower" invariably gets the most attention of the more melodic material. Most notable for a discordant yet gorgeous piano solo from Mike Garson, Puciato also shines on this one, though I think he's even better on the relatively conventional "Gold Teeth on a Bum," which has perhaps my favorite vocal melodies of any DEP track. Most impressive of the more varied tracks, however, is the first single "Farewell, Mona Lisa." This is one of DEP's most fully realized tracks, moving from pure speed to more atmospheric material before the bludgeoning close. It could be trimmed slightly, but it displays a surprising ability to force their madness into a more coherent form. We also have "Chinese Whispers," one of their more conventional tracks that largely replicates a typical post-hardcore sound, albeit with a little odd time trickery thrown in. Not their best track, but is works and shows a slightly different side to the band. Finally, the album closes with "Parasitic Twins." DEP have done electronic and industrially flavored tracks in the past, but none have been as purely atmospheric and melodic as this. It's actually a relative weak point, but it stands out stylistically and thus makes an intriguing coda.
Needless to say, "Option Paralysis" won't likely convert anyone who disliked the band before. But if you need more of the fix on The Dillinger Escape Plan can give you, well, here's another dose. Check it out.
"
Whether you're a brand new fan or have been there since the
The NewReview | USA | 03/26/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Egyptians built the pyramids, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel and The Dillinger Escape Plan wrote Option Paralysis. Some may say this type of company is too impressive for The Dillinger Escape Plan; however, one listen to Option Paralysis would change the mind of any skeptic. It's a shame this album wasn't released in 2012 because I would be sure that this was the Omega that the Mayan calendar was predicting. Throughout Dillinger Escape Plan's history is a constant change and shifting of styles. Since their origination back in 1997 they have released four full-length albums, each one being a little different then the next. Calculating Infinity was the first glimpse at what this chaotic band could do, while Miss Machine showed the world that Dillinger could write with an impressive song structure in mind...and not just simply shred all the time. Then came along Ire Works which introduced the world to the more psychedelic Dillinger, the Dillinger that enjoyed harmonies and strange noise interludes. Somewhere in between the time that Ire Works was released and the band wrote Option Paralysis, Dillinger must have gotten smacked in the head with something heavy because the work on their new album is pure genius. The band incorporates the strongest elements of their previous work and builds upon their prior success.
From the moment you press play and you hear those four singular guitar chords, you know something is different. "Farewell, Mona Lisa" starts the band off at a level of intensity they never achieved on Ire Works. The album opener, and also the chosen single, knocks your head backwards with the impressive guitar work and break neck speed of the drums. Then, as fast as the music starts, it comes to a grinding halt and you are transported to a spacey dark atmosphere, during which time Greg Puciato opens up his vocal chords and introduces the world to this brand new voice that he discovered. The band shifts from chaotic to melodic and shows everyone that they can be just as beautiful as they are ugly. Then when you think you are safe the band kicks it back up to eleven and brings the album opener to a soaring close!
What makes this album fantastic is that The Dillinger Escape Plan then does this another nine times. Every song on this album is dynamic, switching back and forth from rhythmic sections full of harmony to pieces of time where you might think the drummer, Billy Rymer, is having a seizure. I don't think I have to go into the level of technicality that the members of The Dillinger Escape Plan posses It's common knowledge that Ben Weinman and Liam Wilson, the band's axe men, are talented individuals. What does need to be noted is the ambitious steps they took during Option Paralysis. For example, the song "Widower" features the virtuoso pianist Mike Garson who has worked with David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails. During this song Mike Garson and Greg Puciato have a beautiful solo that would bring any grown man to his knees.
Honestly, this is Dillinger's best work to date. They really have hit their stride with Option Paralysis and I wouldn't be surprised if this album is on numerous top 10 lists by the end of 2010. Whether you're a brand new fan or have been there since the beginning, this album is for you! On a side note, I would also like to say that the last time I saw these guys live, Greg set a huge stick on fire and was shooting mouthfuls of fiery gasoline into the crowd while hanging from the ceiling! So at the end of the day The Dillinger Escape Plan is one hell of a band!"
So unbelievable
Debaser 0 | Pittsburgh, PA | 03/26/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When Mariyln Manson's newest album came out I thought it was amazing because of the new direction he took and how much he opened himself up in his lyrics. I thought Nine Inch Nails' Year Zero was awesome because of the intricacy and new topics he explored. And both of those together can't come close to how blown away I was by this record.
I wish there was a way to give more stars. I love Ire Works, Miss Machine, and Calculating Infinity. But this is by far my favorite. Everything is so perfect. The intensity mixed with the lyrics make for a perfect combination. Don't get me wrong, Miss Machine was a perfect 10 but this in itself is a masterpiece. Parasitic Twins and Chinese Whispers are two of the best songs I have ever heard by them right along with Sunshine the Werewolf and 43% Burnt.
If you're not a narrow minded person that wants to hear the exact same bland music released every album ala The Clarks or Better Than Ezra, BUY THIS ALBUM NOW! You will not regret it. It moves in all directions but blends so beautifully."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1