Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 08/22/2006
Originally slated for release in 2004, theatrical
goth/
glam/
punk/
alternative rock collective
Deadsy third collection of retro-eyeliner anthems is as strangely likeable as it is manipulative and redundant.
Phantasmagore wants to be the best
Ministry/
Sisters of Mercy/
T. Rex/metalcore
Bauhaus reunion album ever made. Frontman
Exeter, who sounds like a cross between
Alice in Chains'
Layne Staley and
Social Distortion captain
Mike Ness, lets himself morph in and out of vocal affectations like a C-list
Mike Patton, painting
"Carrying Over"'s "glammy" pre-chorus with echoes of
Ziggy-era
Bowie before launching it into a full-on
Andrew W.K.-style arena rocker. The band draws a whole lot of comparisons to
Gary Numan, and the
"Cars" synth-patch that gets peppered throughout
Phantasmagore's 11 cuts doesn't help, but for every misstep (the world does not need another big modern
rock version of
the Rolling Stones "Paint It Black") there's the a piercing ray of campy fun that shines through all of the forced doom and gloom (
"Razor Love," "Book of Black Dreams," "Health & Theory") like the mischievous flash of a grin beneath
Marc Bolan's top hat.
~James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide
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Tami Lorenz
from Las Vegas, NV
Better Than I Knew
I do find that Deadsy's second release, draws on the depth of young-Black Sabbath. It is more rock now, less goth. One may hear RUSH similarities in the intense bass and extended chorus. The synchronized rhythms and beats are Alice Chain-ish, with appropriate angst of Guns Roses.
You may hear intensity in the impending harmony of Queensryche. You will hear Stone's Paint it Black and bits of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song in Time. Even in Black Dreams, a distortion technique brings a touch of mainstream with Bon Jovi.
I didn't use to love Deadsy.
I started listening when I heard Cher Elijah's version of Crimson Clover, a cut above Tommy James the Shondells. And got curious about Elijah's music (P. Exeter Blue I). I liked Mansion World on Commencement. I liked Key To Gramercy Park. And Flowing Glower hinted at the depth of original lyrics to follow.
The second track on the latest release, Carrying Over, is better than a continuation.
It is masterful, as is the amazing title track, Phantasmagore. Now I love Deadsy.
They are definitely Better Than I Know. The haunting medleys can transport me to Urantia-Land, drug-free anytime.
And Media Future (myspace.com/media future) says
Deadsy has the BEST SPACE on MySpace.