There are usually two responses you can expect when you mention Dead Poetic. There is the group that loves them, and the group that despises them. While others could not understand why I was not passionate about this band one way or another, I just remained indifferent. After repeated listens to New Medicines I would like to say I am still on the fence.
On their second release for Solid State/Tooth and Nail records, the band has added two elements: a second guitarist and a sense of melody. The album starts with the blistering "Taste the Red Hands" with screaming vocals. You would think that you were about to witness another Four Wall Blackmail, but rest assured this album IS different.
Vocalist Brandon Rike has discovered how to sing on this album, and not just scream--which is one of the strong points of this release. The screaming is cut back. It is still at times a bit too much, but not as evident as the last time around, which gives room to Rike being able to sing more melody lines without sounding too busy.
Songs like "Vanus Empty" and "The Dreamclub Murders" are fast paced rock anthems, while on "Glass in the Trees" and "Dimmer Light" we see the band slow it down a bit.
With the addition of another guitarist, one would think it would add more, like playing a lead over the rhythm, but that is not the case. At times it sounded extremely repetitive and boring. The two guitars were doing the same thing on most songs, which is what made the album stale after repeated listens.
The content of the album lyrically is based around social and relationship issues. In "Taste the Red Hands" Rike sings, "There's a glossary of dirty words for people just like you, and only for people like you I reserve the words: backstabbers and money whores and dirty rotten millionaires." On other songs like "Vanus Empty" he sings, "Vanity's got this new gun that she'd like to try on you." Metaphors are a dime a dozen, which at times can make an album impersonal, but the band manages to shy away from that here.
I hate to be the kind of person who sits on the fence, when talking about music. It is a very strong release, despite its mundane moments. I guess I will have to wait and see what else the boys from Dayton release before I take a stance. New Medicines will do a good job at drawing in a newer fan base while not alienating the older fans.
3/4
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