Type O Negative – Dead Again
Steamhammer – SPV 9919U – March 13, 2007
By Wayward_Son
Some of you, my Faithful Readers, might be surprised that this writer enjoys the back catalogue of Type O Negative quite thoroughly. From the Canivore-esque beginnings of Slow, Deep, and Hard to the solid Bloody Kisses and onward to the band’s masterpiece, October Rust, and almost equally as mesmerizing World Coming Down, this writer is no stranger to the Type O Negative universe. Admittedly, Life is Killing Me was a bit of a disappointment. The band had seemed to lose focus, struggling in vain to be outright humorous, while losing their tongue-in-cheek panache. Or it could be that the songs just were not up to the standards the quartet had set for themselves.
So with the pre-listening buzz saying that it was a “return to roots” sound that pervaded Dead Again, it was with increased skepticism that this writer placed Type O Negative album number seven in his stereo, put on the headphones, and heard.
First of all, Dead Again is hardly a return to the early sound of the band. Some songs, such as ‘Tripping a Blind Man’ and ’Some Stupid Tomorrow’, do feature a tinge of the Slow, Deep, and Hard days, but it is hardly prevalent throughout the entirety. In fact, musically, Dead Again is probably most similar to Bloody Kisses with a bit of October Rust’s pop sensibility.
This writer should love that combination. Something is amiss here, however. Most of the songs are pleasant enough, some are fantastic, and many are just there. This, unfortunately, has been quite common within the Type O Negative discography (excepting October Rust) throughout their career. They have a knack for spoiling the listener with brilliant songs surrounded by forgettable duds. Such is life.
This writer is hardly telling you, Faithful Reader, to ignore Dead Again. ’Tripping a Blind Man’, ’The Profit of Doom’, ’An Ode to Locksmiths’, and the strong closer, ’Hail and Farewell to Britain’ could all be considered quality Type O Negative. The latter two are this writer’s favorites, with vintage Peter Steele croons on ’An Ode to Locksmiths’ and a beautiful album-closing chorus on ’Hail and Farewell to Britain’. It is tripe such as opener ’Dead Again’, ’Halloween in Heaven’, and ’Some Stupid Tomorrow’ that manage to ruin the flow of an otherwise decent return for the Brooklyn quartet.
Dead Again is most certainly an album for current Type O Negative fans. This writer does not see it converting those unfamiliar with the band. All the ingredients are there. Dead Again just lacks some of the flash and sparkle the band brought to their mid-career albums.
Despite all this, a fan this writer remains.
Official Type O Negative Website
Official Steamhammer Website
Steamhammer – SPV 9919U – March 13, 2007
By Wayward_Son
Some of you, my Faithful Readers, might be surprised that this writer enjoys the back catalogue of Type O Negative quite thoroughly. From the Canivore-esque beginnings of Slow, Deep, and Hard to the solid Bloody Kisses and onward to the band’s masterpiece, October Rust, and almost equally as mesmerizing World Coming Down, this writer is no stranger to the Type O Negative universe. Admittedly, Life is Killing Me was a bit of a disappointment. The band had seemed to lose focus, struggling in vain to be outright humorous, while losing their tongue-in-cheek panache. Or it could be that the songs just were not up to the standards the quartet had set for themselves.
So with the pre-listening buzz saying that it was a “return to roots” sound that pervaded Dead Again, it was with increased skepticism that this writer placed Type O Negative album number seven in his stereo, put on the headphones, and heard.
First of all, Dead Again is hardly a return to the early sound of the band. Some songs, such as ‘Tripping a Blind Man’ and ’Some Stupid Tomorrow’, do feature a tinge of the Slow, Deep, and Hard days, but it is hardly prevalent throughout the entirety. In fact, musically, Dead Again is probably most similar to Bloody Kisses with a bit of October Rust’s pop sensibility.
This writer should love that combination. Something is amiss here, however. Most of the songs are pleasant enough, some are fantastic, and many are just there. This, unfortunately, has been quite common within the Type O Negative discography (excepting October Rust) throughout their career. They have a knack for spoiling the listener with brilliant songs surrounded by forgettable duds. Such is life.
This writer is hardly telling you, Faithful Reader, to ignore Dead Again. ’Tripping a Blind Man’, ’The Profit of Doom’, ’An Ode to Locksmiths’, and the strong closer, ’Hail and Farewell to Britain’ could all be considered quality Type O Negative. The latter two are this writer’s favorites, with vintage Peter Steele croons on ’An Ode to Locksmiths’ and a beautiful album-closing chorus on ’Hail and Farewell to Britain’. It is tripe such as opener ’Dead Again’, ’Halloween in Heaven’, and ’Some Stupid Tomorrow’ that manage to ruin the flow of an otherwise decent return for the Brooklyn quartet.
Dead Again is most certainly an album for current Type O Negative fans. This writer does not see it converting those unfamiliar with the band. All the ingredients are there. Dead Again just lacks some of the flash and sparkle the band brought to their mid-career albums.
Despite all this, a fan this writer remains.
Official Type O Negative Website
Official Steamhammer Website
