O’Brother – The Death of Day
Record Label: Favorite Gentlemen
Release Date: May 5, 2009
Swallow them down, it burns like fire/ Your words are the Devil’s machine
Someone has wronged O’Brother and I find myself thanking God it wasn’t me. With acerbic lyrics hung around its neck like millstones, The Death of Day is a lumbering behemoth, as dangerous and deep as it is pained and crippled. Its five tracks clock in at over 31 minutes of distorted rock, crunchy feedback, and hollered declarations. Clearly vocalist/guitarist Tanner Merrit is well versed in the Dustin Kensrue School of Emoting , but his gravely tones owe just as much to ‘90s grunge and alt rock. Only a voice such as his could stand atop the mile-high wall of sound generated by the band (Johnny Dang and Aaron Wamack on guitars, Anton Dang on bass, and Michael Martens on drums).
A slip of tongue/ These words fall like an avalanche
The conflict is obvious. Slipping into the cracks between the furious cries of self-doubt and rejection, we can see the glints of conciliation found in a higher power. Amid the cacophony of “Oh, Charitable Thief,” a nine and a half minute tour de force that sandwiches massive instrumentals and heavenly choirs between murmuring clouds of reverb, come plaintive lyrics: “Oh vessel of grace, whisper in my ear/ Some melodious sonnet of forgiveness/ Sweet seraphim won’t you sing me to peace.” It’s as beautiful as the earlier rage was frightening. Elsewhere, though, the lyrics slide a bit, letting up in their fierce passion. “Ascension” falters a bit, tripping through lines such as, “All in all we’re dust and bone/ So we’ll dig our graves before we’re old enough to lie in them.” Far more often than not, O’Brother delivers elaborate imagery, but it can only trickle into the musical rut, the aforementioned WALLOFSOUND. Although effective with the knob turned to 11, the album is at its most potent when it hovers around 3 or 4 (e.g., the first two and half minutes or so of “Ascension”).
Slip in this certain knot of peace/ I’m keeping silent, keeping silent/ Til it, in turn, keeps me
There’s no mistaking the genuine fervor behind The Death of Day. It’s impossible to ignore. In the future, if O’Brother can slow down and coax a little more beauty out from behind the flood of distortion, they may create the next great emo-rock album. For now, we’ve simply got to brace ourselves and survive The Death of Day.
While this is a decent review I can't condone the use of "emo/rock" word usage. This is instrumental rock at it's best. I wouldn't compare them to Thrice or Finch at all either. Think Colour Revolt and Explosions in the Sky having glorious sex and having a beautiful baby boy. This is a band that truly shines instrumentally and captures a feeling of urgency unlike any other.
I can't believe i actually registered on here. But i digress! O'brother is one of the most sincere and original bands out there right now. Support them! Come to the record release in may!
This is instrumental rock at it's best. I wouldn't compare them to Thrice or Finch at all either. Think Colour Revolt and Explosions in the Sky having glorious sex and having a beautiful baby boy. This is a band that truly shines instrumentally and captures a feeling of urgency unlike any other.
on point.
it's kind of like if you ever wondered what bands like EITS or This Will Destroy You would sound like with some vocals thrown in the mix. Definitely a good live band as well. If they are in your area, go see them.
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