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Trail of dead - secret to elena's tomb

thethoughtsofadyingatheist | Down Under | 10/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly, if you are reading this review and have little knowledge of the Trail of Dead, but are keen to purchase something because you've heard some good things, I warn you, do not purchase this cd. Immediately go to "Source Tags and Codes", purchase that, listen on repeat for a week and then no doubt you will want to purchase every other cd released by ToD. This new EP being a good place to start.Whilst it doesn't have the brilliant melding of songs and intricate song structures as on "Source Tags" there is plenty here to get yourself pumped for the next release. Being only a 5 song EP it was always going to be hard to produce a fully cohesive "album" whilst appealing to old fans and still developing into something new, however I think the ToD have done as good a job as could be expected (although the album art is a little disappointing, especially after the brilliant cover to Source Tags that seems to grow and develop into something else, much like many of the songs).Track 1: Mach Schau: definitely a true ToD song, heavy and hard hitting, with the usual tempo shifts, slow guitar lines that evolve into a hard hitting chorus before easing up for just long enough for you to catch your breath before flinging you straight back into the fire. A great opener, and a very fine song.Track 2: All St. Day: another fine rocker which is in much the same vein as some of the softer more mellow "rock" songs off Source Tags. More of a "How Near, How Far" or "Relative Ways" style single material song.Track 3: Crowning of a Heart: This songs just flows straight through beautifully from the end of "All St Day". Once again a slower tempo song and a very light breezy chorus, with a single prominent guitar line repeating itself throughout. This song builds and subsides with the drumming rising and falling, only it never really peaks, before fading out. Good song, but not something the fans of Madonna will get into.Track 4: Counting off the Days: Ahh yes, its acoustic. Definitely something we haven't really heard these guys do. Having said that i'm partial to a bit of acoustic guitar work and this song is definitely appeasing to me. Just something about the rather simple guitar and that just floats along with the accompanying strings. Probably finished a bit quickly for me but is defiantly something they could evolve and use a bit more in the future.Track 5: Intelligence: Wow, now we get a dance track. Don't think doff doff doff, it starts normally before a simple 70's type drum sync comes in and the song starts to kick. With its whirring chorus and customary tempo change before finishing in a screeching assault and fading out. All in all there is something here that could appease everyone, as for me all 5 tracks have something that has me geared up for the next LP, whether that's old school (track 1), continuation of last album (tracks 2 and 3) or something far far more experimental (tracks 4 and 5) I say bring it on!!!!Well worth a purchase."

This is my first meeting

facemanmvp | The farm | 11/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I . . I have a problem. The first time I listened to "Source Tags and Codes," I was hooked. I couldn't stop listening. But, you know, the highs just aren't high enough after awhile. You need something new to really get you up to your previous levels of listening enjoyment again. Then, I almost went into cardiac arrest when I saw this E.P.. I thought I had it bad before, but now it's even worse. This is the only CD I listen to. I haven't stopped for almost six months. SIX MONTHS! I can't help it. "Counting off of the Days" . . . it's just so beautiful. "Machu Machu" is so much fun. "Intelligence" is just so incredibly entrancing while at the same time it makes you scream and dance. One time, I was listening to it while driving. When I looked up I didn't even KNOW WHERE I WAS! And that's not even the worst of it. "All Saint's Day?" Sometimes, I hit repeat three, four times. I know it's sad, but I can't help it. I love it. Thank you."

Give me soma' dat Trail of Dead Goodness

facemanmvp | 06/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this E.P. While everyone has to be stupid and critical becuase of the diversity of the tracks, I feel this E.P. delivers. "Mach Schau" is the best opener, and has a great raw intro and a hard hitting chorus. It's nice and gritty and one awesome song. All St. Day is good too, yes, the intro is too much like Sonic Youth's awesome "Dirty Boots" but the actual song part is great and new for TOD. "Mach Schau" along with the excellent "Crowning of A Heart" are the highlights for me though. "Crowning of a Heart has the best vocal harmonies these guys could pull off and cool electric guitar strumming. The acoustic song is okay, but not really my deal. THe elctroclash type song "Intelligence" is cool in it's departure from the rest of the songs and is a cool thing to have on disk. However, to me the meat of the E.P. is the first 3 songs. Buy it and listen, I mean for my 6.98 or whatever I felt I got my money's worth. If you will excuse me I must go listen..."