... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - 'Source Tags & Codes' (Interscope)
4/5
By: Toby L
... And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead began their career - like many bands - earning accolade for memorable live performances. However, in the Trail Of Dead's case, these weren't so much just 'memorable' as they were also epic, thrilling, passionate, brave and - quite simply - dangerous.
But, how does this energy and enthusiasm translate on to record? Some believed that their eponymous-titled debut LP revealed - sadly - that it wasn't quite as great as when performed in the live-arena. However, although the press and many couldn't grasp the actual content on display, what was there was a vision, a power and a thirst.
Luckily, these concepts and the group's gritty appreciation for well-crafted and energised noise were put into a better perspective for 'Madonna', essentially their breakthrough record, in terms of respect achieved from both the critics and fans alike. Before 2000 was out, TOD were viewed by many as the essential 21st Century guitar-band, whose anger and idealism was so sincere and defined that it unearthed what was severely lacking in the rest of the music-industry.
Now, with this, their first new album for a good couple of years, it's the band's chance to prove that they're not just a one-off act, but a talent of endurance, progression and substance. And they've done it - 'Source Tags & Codes' could be the most important and vital release you possess all year round.
It's not even an obviously great album. What the band have done is take the strongest elements from their prior work and focus on them with finer detail, tighter musicianship and a bolder outlook on what can achieved, both melodically - and loudly. From the opening 'It Was There That I Saw You', as it growls up to a howling and raucous riot of an intro, before unfolding into a dark and slow-paced ambient number, soon returning to its original franticness, it becomes clear the direction this album is going in: open-minded, exploratory and, ultimately, tuneful.
After all, 'Baudelaire' sounds as if it could have been by The Clash, what with its thunderous drums, shaky singing and marvellous guitar-led hook, whereas the dual vocals of 'What is this you give us - it's just a dream/What is this you give us - it's everything' shout-out ending of 'Another Morning Stoner' is one of the most exhilarating few seconds on the LP altogether. Oddly, though, as you pass through these moments on the record in the early half of its duration, there is a great feeling of the pressure building up throughout, as if it's going to explode at some point into a kind of fitting climax.
With this in mind, you continue relentlessly, sifting through the hefty manic pain of 'Homage', haunting 'Heart In The Hand of The Matter' and supremely negative mood-swing of 'Days Of Being Wild'.
Then, this is when it hits you. The climax of the record you expected earlier. And it comes in the form of upcoming single 'Relative Ways'.
Despite its recurring riff, which is reminiscent in some shady way to Springsteen's 'Born In The USA', the rest of it couldn't be more moody or moving. By the time the chorus is lurched into, you're lost, forced into falling amongst a world of sound that only truly awesome acts have ever been able to produce. The cymbals crash, the guitars chime all the while, and the vocals sink as it spirals into a crescendo that continues in the following 'Seque', featuring eerie piano and muffled production. Only the closing track - of the same name as the LP - can bring you back out of the daze that's been inflicted upon you. With the strokes of a few final violins, the end is here. The trip only took 46 minutes as well.
With this album, the Trail Of Dead have forced themselves into the league of the big boys, though are still circling outside, thanks to their eternally alternative outlook and attention-grabbing urgency. The future from here appears even brighter for the band: both musically and in popularity. Aggression and soul has never been such a beauty to inflict upon ears.
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