...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD - The Century Of Self
...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD - The Century Of Self
Written by Luke Oram   
Wednesday, 08 July 2009 22:17
and you will know us by the trail of dead - the century of self La-de-da. It’s Austin; Texas.
Every now and then, I’ll purchase candy based on its marketing. Because I; like you, am a human magpie enamoured by flashy packaging and sanguine fluorescent mascots. That being said, no amount of evilbrow-wiggling from that Cadbury’s kid who looks like Damien from the Omen (who was actually the Devil), is going to draw me away from realising that they REDUCED THE SIZE OF THEIR CHOCOLATE BARS! Right under our noses. Nice try Cadbury, but we’re magpies, not apes.

Anyway. There’s a lot to be said for marketing. It’s under-rated. Take Texan art-rockers ...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD. The name alone; screams well-read, non-conformist indie rock, right from the outset. Luckily for the Austin outfit, what’s inside the packaging; is a glass and a half of full-cream brilliance.
The brainchild of founders Jason Reece and intellectual front-man Conrad Keeley, AYWKUBTTOD (MACRONYM!) gained universal applause for 2002’s 'Source Tags & Codes', seeing them hailed as an unstoppable indie tour-de-force. Seven years and two more albums later, the Austin alumni have gone independent for-real, choosing to release 2009’s 'THE CENTURY OF SELF' sans-Interscope. And look! They’re so D.I.Y. that their singer’s drawn the album cover in blue ballpoint pen! Not in a Pete-Doherty scribble-on-a-kebab-wrapper kinda way though, he’s actually a brilliant artist.

Releasing the shackles of the record co. means; 'The Century Of Self' serves as some kind of accomplished debut. Clearly, Keeley & Co. have felt free to expand on their grandiose, sprawling indie epics. The album comes off a little disjointed because of it, but streamlining is for breaststrokers. From the sprawling and majestic opening of 'The Giant’s Causeway', it’s clear that the boys have gone a long way towards evolving their accomplished ambition. It’s all poetry; clothed in visceral energy. 'The Far Pavilions' comes off as brilliantly well-read rock, underpinned by rabid punk, as Keeley and Reece trade barks before giving way to a huge choral outro. If there’s anything these guys have mastered, it’s the fevered musical journey.

First single; 'Isis Unveiled', begins with brilliant galloping riffs of brass, while Keeley’s valiant voice delivers an operatic Biblical tirade – “I’m a jealous God, who placed the demons in hell and the angels in heaven”. Quite.

'The Century Of Self' is like some kind of brilliant soundtrack to a Dungeons and Dragons rematch. Keeley’s mystical lyrics channel the Zep, while his band mates create mountains and molehills, ranging from the beautiful piano balladry of 'Luna Park' to the rampant attack of 'Ascending', which sounds like Dave Grohl fronting the Smashing Pumpkins... which is something that should never happen, but works beautifully for the 'Trail though.

'The Century Of Self' is hard to pin down, which is an asset that indie bands should always aspire to. Tired of your rock-fare tasting tired and trite? Try the 'Trail of the Dead – it always leads to satisfaction.
 

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