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The Letters Organize

Dead Rhythm Machine (2005)
Nitro Records

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Contributed by: Brian
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Published on March 22nd 2005

It’s safe to say that thanks to A Wilhelm Scream, the two currently rumored and all but confirmed signings, and now the Letters Organize, Nitro Records may very well pull off one of its most consistent strings of releases in quite a while. Dead Rhythm Machine isn’t perfect, but the caustically displayed mix of hardcore, rock, art punk and melody is pretty refreshing as a whole.

Vocalist Brent Jay’s melodic side isn’t particularly strong, and it’s obvious, as it’s always dressed in effects and a bit low in the mix, seemingly drowned out by everything else when it’s applied. His scream, however, is visceral, a style overall reminiscent of Vaux and Billy Talent. Musically, the band takes from the former as well in its blistering intensity and interchanging rhythm section, but adds a little more melody and seems to be helped more from a crisp production sound and panic-driven, manic energy than an early 90’s grunge influence and guitar-assisted wall of sound.

In both the music and chaos it’s clear the band takes a bit from the Bronx as well, but they use it to their advantage, never touching upon any serious aping. Though the band really doesn’t offer many singalong-able parts during the course of the disc, audience participation is encouraged, I’m sure. The minute handclaps of “I Want I Want” should be a fun live challenge, while Jay’s temperamental schizophrenia in “Trouble Sleeping” somehow adds to the rock‘n’roll feel of the song’s chorus.

One major flaw to the record is how the flow is irritatingly disrupted as the disc reaches its last few tracks; smack dab in the middle of “The Costume In The Corner” is the beginning of a minute-long “outro” of sorts that quietly closes it out before going into track 11, “A Book For Dummies”…not exactly a choice place for an interlude. It disappointingly prevents the record from really going out with a bang.

Still, Dead Rhythm Machine is a consistent collection of tracks from a promising outfit that never compromises its aggressiveness for melody, instead juxtaposing the two together well, unlike some of their peers.

MP3s
Dressed Up In Gatwick
They Call It Rock N Roll (And Other Lies)

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Anonymous (February 15, 2006)

defintely one of the best records in 2005

Anonymous (February 15, 2006)

defintely one of the best records in 2005

Anonymous (January 8, 2006)

not a big Nitro records fan, aside from the older AFI stuff. and i fucking hate A Wilhelm Scream, but this ain't too bad. For 4.99 used, you could do a lot worse than a really dancy Refused cover band.

Anonymous (September 25, 2005)

Awesome. This album/artist is just damn good. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Anonymous (August 16, 2005)

Only one rating on this? This album is my favorite out of the new batch of Nitro signees. Absolutely great.

Anonymous (April 3, 2005)

Just bought this. Amazing.

Anonymous (March 24, 2005)

It definitely is.

Bosco (March 24, 2005)

NObody That Really Is Great or Godawful for that mattER.

That would be awesome if it's true.

InaGreendase (March 23, 2005)

...but I doubt anyone just starting a band is going to take heavy influence from a band that is only a few years old and hasn't released much material.

see: 30000 Taking Back Sunday clones.

Anonymous (March 23, 2005)

How many bands in the past few weeks have been compared to the fucking Bronx?

No doubt, the Bronx are awesome, but I doubt anyone just starting a band is going to take heavy influence from a band that is only a few years old and hasn't released much material.

-BSD

Anonymous (March 22, 2005)

Nitro Records = yoko ono

Anonymous (March 22, 2005)

If you buy me a milkshake I will tell you the other band!

- Kirby

(ok, I wont)

Anonymous (March 22, 2005)

who the hell are not rigger

stevejonestherealbones (March 22, 2005)

dont forget the aquabats

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

punkcorekid (March 22, 2005)

yea i was slightly surprised at my enjoyment of this band.

aubin (March 22, 2005)

I really expected to hate this record; name-dropping Refused in a bio is usually an implicit guarantee of suckitude, but this is a really solid record.

Anonymous (March 22, 2005)

NObody That Really Is Great or Godawful for that mattER.

TheOneTrueBill (March 22, 2005)

I'll have to check them out then. Thanks for the heads up.

As for the other one, we'll eventually find out, so no big deal.

InaGreendase (March 22, 2005)

Well, I've promised to keep my mouth shut about one in particular, but as for the second - Bullet Train To Vegas has been on the label's band page for a while, and Nitro is listed on BTTV's myspace as their label.

TheOneTrueBill (March 22, 2005)

Who're the rumored signings?