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Head Automatica

Decadence (2004)
Warner Music Group

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Contributed by: Coldwaffles
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 6th 2007

Daryl Palumbo is widely known for overreaching with too many side projects. Primarily known for his time in post-hardcore pioneers Glassjaw, Palumbo has been involved with more incomplete side projects than, well, probably anyone in the entire music industry. Collaborative efforts to produce hip-hop, dance, and hardcore records by Palumbo are claimed annually, and he rarely delivers. However, in 2004, Palumbo finally followed through with one of his many projects, creating Decadence with producer Dan “The Automator” Nakamura at the helm of the project.

With Decadence, Palumbo created a scene of his own. Following the release of this record came bands like Men, Women, & Children and Young Love, respectively comprised of another Glassjaw member and Recover’s frontman but both essentially ex-post-hardcore dudes dipping their hand in the dance-rock genre, as well as bands like We Are the Fury, a band which embodies all of the garage influence contained in this record. In addition, the record helped spawn a legion of Palumbo followers and associates called Cardboard City. Simply put, for such a modest record, Decadence's influence is incredible.

Decadence relies heavily on synth-heavy dance beats and Palumbo’s smooth crooning vocals. Head Automatica showed no signs of the heavy melodic hardcore and rock of Glassjaw; it sounded absolutely unlike anything Palumbo had created before.

None of the tracks suffer from sameness and the record is certainly not monotone. From the fast, dare I say “punk” of the opener, “At the Speed of a Yellow Bullet,” to the garage rock of “I Shot William H. Macy,” with the percussion-heavy “Brooklyn Is Burning” and pure power-pop of “Beating Heart Baby,” Decadence keeps a first-time listener’s ear wondering what Palumbo will deliver next.

Other highlights include “King Caeser” with its light beat and infectious vocals, “The Razor,” which delivers a much needed dark pop-punk flavor to the middle of the record, the piano-reliant “Solid Gold Telephone,” and the almost hip-hop “Head Automatica Sound System.” Also of note is Tim Armstrong of Rancid glory’s guest spot on “Dance Party Plus.”

If the pure pop-rock of Head Automatica’s latter effort, Popaganda, didn’t hook you, maybe the more exciting dance/garage route taken by Decadence will. Worth a go if you’re a Glassjaw/Palumbo enthusiast, or if you just like dance-rock.

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icapped2pac (July 12, 2007)

it's wild and crazy
a fetus in a jar, like a little baby

i-type-poorly (July 9, 2007)

Daryl Palumbo is a jerk, but Dan The Automator is a god. So this album evens out to be pretty awesome.

Anonymous (July 9, 2007)

lol at this review. created their own scene? give me a break. and glassjaw will be forgotten in 10 years.

Anonymous (July 9, 2007)

its hard to understand why such crap comes from this glassjaw off shoot. this band sucks.

SydBarrett420 (July 9, 2007)

Floors and Walls does this type of music much better.

http://www.myspace.com/floorsandwalls

dumhed01 (July 7, 2007)

Is this guy fucking serious?
FUCK PETE WENTZ!

Dante3000 (July 7, 2007)

This band sucks simply based on their inability to spell "Decaydance".
-Dante

Anonymous (July 7, 2007)

You are ignorant

mustard (July 7, 2007)

Anybody else find it hard listening to Glassjaw because they are terrible.

Anonymous (July 7, 2007)

Anybody else find it difficult to like anything Palumbo does that isnt Glassjaw? Just simply because, it isnt Glassjaw.

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

"can anyone recommend quality bands of a similar ilk to 'decadence' era head automatica (or which of the other dance-rock bands mentioned in the review are worth checking out)?"

check out a band called God Fires Man. they're from brooklyn, i believe. they sort of have this dancey rock vibe....they use a lot of that delay-effect strumming in their stuff.

also check out a band called Thriller, from LA. they're a little more on the "mall-metalcore" side. sorta like if He Is Legend started listening to the Faint or something. they're a total guilty pleasure band though, just because they have that really dirty groove that they inject into their dancier stuff.

branden (July 6, 2007)

when i saw this band live, it was more like i smelled them. they stunk

coldwaffles (July 6, 2007)

"can anyone recommend quality bands of a similar ilk to 'decadence' era head automatica (or which of the other dance-rock bands mentioned in the review are worth checking out)?"

Men Women and Children is definitely worth checking out, go into Young Love with caution, and We Are the Fury kind of suck.

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

Collaborative efforts to produce hip-hop, dance, and hardcore records by Palumbo are claimed annually, and he rarely delivers.

you should've stopped right there.

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

solid album, nothing amazing, but enjoyable enough...happy party music. pretty good. way better than the second album, I sent that shit to the used record bins after about 3 listens. just sounded like pop rock, totally decided to do away with the dance beats and funk that made Decaydence worth listening to. the second one was like elvis costello-lite. almost like sugarcult w/ daryl palumbo singing. lame.

Paul

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

fuck this shit.

T-Rock (July 6, 2007)

It's the best the world of MTV pop has to offer, in my opinion. Not something I would buy, but it's catchy if you like something lighter. I wouldn't mock you for owning it.

booker_pee (July 6, 2007)

agreed; only one not perfect song. i don't think i listened to anything else for about three weeks after i picked this up. so much better than their second record.

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

I hate this record, but I hate everything palumbo does, so its no suprise.

ejaculine (July 6, 2007)

This cd is amazing but I still prefer Popaganda. Can't get those songs out of my head. He really is a great songwritter.

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

really enjoyable record. 9 thumbs up.
they dropped the ball with the second record though. it blows

can anyone recommend quality bands of a similar ilk to 'decadence' era head automatica (or which of the other dance-rock bands mentioned in the review are worth checking out)?

alexwank

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeating hearts baby

Anonymous (July 6, 2007)

this record sucks

jamespastepunk (July 6, 2007)

CD is amazing. Pick it up. Seriously.

Anonymous (July 5, 2007)

"hip hip hooray" song is the only piece of dog shit on the album. other than that, real nice stuff. the 2nd one should have kept going with this sound and not what it did.

adam you look mean :(