Dead Poetic Albums (4)
What The Critics Say
Dead Poetic have matured magnificently since releasing their debut album Four Wall Blackmail in 2002. Two years later, the band returned with a new member, guitarist Todd Osborn, and their sophomore set, New Medicines, to prove their musicianship was improving by leaps and bounds. Their sound too was fast evolving, culminating with Vices, their third album. Only "The Victim" remains to remind listeners of the band's previous, more hardcore past, although the occasional mash-it-up guitar roar raises from the Dead. Jettisoning much of the 'core, the group circle around rock in all its glory and variety. It's hard, pushing towards metallic on "Cannibal vs. Cunning," slipping towards classic on "Narcotic," and sliding towards pop on "Pretty Pretty," surely a song destined for singledom. "Lioness" hints at speed-metal, "In Coma" spills towards the majestic sounds of the arena, "Motorcycle" revs up into punk rock, "Sinless City" and "Animals" sink into moody, emo-laden indie, "Paralytic" falls deep into space rock, and the final three tracks are all virtually interconnected pieces of incandescence. Like Muhammad Ali in his prime, Dead Poetic weave and float like musical butterflies, jabbing skillfully at genres, then landing roundhouse punches with their thought-provoking lyrics, all themed around vices and interpersonal relationships. The knock-out punch is their phenomenally strong melodies that predominate the entire set. No longer held back by their old limitations, Dead Poetic have now emerged as a powerful rock band to be reckoned with. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The sophomore effort from Dead Poetic finds this Ohio-based band moving out of the hardcore ghetto, expanding its sound to include a bit more melody, a bit more subtlety, and one more member (guitarist Todd Osborn). That's not to say that there isn't plenty of screaming, naturally, but the screaming is starting to sound a bit like a sop to the kids rather than an integral part of the music-making. By next album, even money says it's going to be the heavyweight melodic rock & roll of songs like "Dream" and the shockingly perfect "Glass in the Trees" that carries the day. "Vanus Empty" offers unusually interesting lyrics ("So vanity's got this new gun that she wants to try on you"); "Hostages" is a jumpy sort of emocore rave-up, while "Modern Morbid Prophecies" lopes along at midtempo and offers only moderately coherent lyrics. Then there's the hidden track, an overlong instrumental consisting of lots and lots of guitar arpeggios. Pretty good overall, but if their learning curve continues at the present slope their next one will be substantially better. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide
'Four Wall Blackmail'
Release Date 6/4/2002
Tracks 10
Label Solid State
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Following in the footsteps of labelmates Embodyment, Dead Poetic's debut album is a spectacular emocore release that capitalizes on the emotional boom in a tremendous way. Four Wall Blackmail is spearheaded by vocalist Brandon Rike's passionate serenades that pluck at the heartstrings with touching lyrics and beautiful vocal tones. Some of Dead Poetic's largest assets are the vicious screams that supplement the desperation and sorrow that Rike emits from every pore in his body, giving the album enough edge to impress fans of hardcore as well as those more in touch with the tear-jerking emo of Dashboard Confessional. The songwriting is fairly basic, relying on standard verse/chorus progression, yet this is a simple combination that Dead Poetic seems to work perfectly. The songs border on mainstream rock accessibility while remaining firmly in the outer edge of the accepted musical spectrum. Musically Dead Poetic is rather mundane, allowing each song to be molded around whatever Rike decides to express, be it contempt, agony, or love. "The Corporate Enthusiast" at times sounds similar to some of metalcore's finest, such as Vision of Disorder or Zao, yet the emotional hooks pull it back from falling over the brink of hardcore intensity. The friendly format is sure to appeal to modern rock fans, and Dead Poetic has a sound that could easily catapult them into the spotlight. Four Wall Blackmail is an excellent album that makes predictable surprisingly enjoyable. ~ Jason D. Taylor, All Music Guide
