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... And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead | Source Tags & Codes

A sonically devastasting follow-up on a major label!
CD, Interscope/Universal

Tekst: Bob Hammond

Publicatiedatum: 06 maart 2002

Uproar among fans always ensues when a prominent indie band signs to a major label. They say that the band has sold out and that major label production is going to turn them into another bland mainstream rock band. Unsurprisingly, many fans of ... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead had this sort of reaction when it was announced that Interscope Records would put out their boys' next record. Even I can admit having some reservations; isn't Interscope the same label that appointed Fred Durst as Senior Vice President? Trail Of Dead eased these concerns with the release of the 'Relative Ways' EP, a preamble to their upcoming full-length, containing four stellar songs. However, visions of Fred Durst providing guest vocals or the addition of a DJ to the band's line-up wouldn't leave my mind until I heard the album.

Fast-forward to the present time, and I've been listening to Trail Of Dead's opus 'Source Tags & Codes' non-stop for about a week. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief, as it can now be confirmed that the band has not missed a step in their transition to a major label. And you can stop pulling out your hair over the prospect of any Durst involvement: I've thoroughly checked the liner notes, and his name is nowhere to be found. With 'Source Tags & Codes', Trail Of Dead have proved us all to be worryin' fools by creating a collection of songs that can only be described as sonically devastating. It may only be March, but we've already got a front-runner for album of the year.

With their previous efforts, Trail Of Dead have established a loud, distortion-laden, melodic sound reminiscent of "alternative" icons Sonic Youth. And with present efforts they continue that sound. However, what makes 'Source Tags & Codes' special is not a departure from, but rather an improvement of, that sound. They've found a perfect mix of noise, melody, anger, and sorrow, giving us music that is at once physically, mentally, and emotionally stimulating. Trail Of Dead have perfected the use of instrumentals as a means to ascend towards a devastating chorus, a tactic that can be found throughout the album. Guitars build beautiful melodies, and the music gains momentum from driving percussion, until you're hit with the aural assault of the chorus. It is now that Trail Of Dead enrapture you with the pure emotion and intensity that they put into their music, allowing you to recover only in time to be hit again. And when it hits you, the impact is tremendous, urging you to get up, jump around, and pump your fist to the anthem of the chorus. In a nutshell, 'Source Tags & Codes' is an album that you can't help but engage yourself with; it takes you on a sonic trip that leaves you drained yet blissful in the end.

I send my apologies to the band. There should have never been any doubt that Trail Of Dead could deliver, even when signed to a major label. They've proved every one of us die-hard indie kids wrong. However, the way Trail Of Dead deliver with this album is so amazing that I don't care about my lack of foresight. If my credibility is the only casualty, 'Source Tags & Codes' is more than I deserve as reparation.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-dead/source-tags-codes/1377/
Meer ... And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/and-you-will-know-us-by-the-trail-of-dead