Customer Reviews
Awesome album
It's very different from any of their other work, although it does retain a lot of their trademarks. Unlike many of their fans, I personally think Worlds Apart is a fantastic Trail of Dead album. That being said, if you go into this listening without any preconceived notions, you'll see that this is a fantastic record. From the chanting of Ode to Isis into the brutal Will You Smile Again and Worlds Apart, this album has it all. Savage rockers (Caterwaul, A Classic Arts Showcase), gorgeous melodic songs (Summer of '91, Let it Drive, The Rest Will Follow) and epic showpieces (The Best, The Lost City of Refuge). This is, however, a creative turn for the band. A lot more prog and not as much into the noise and brutality of their earlier albums. However, this album still flat-out rocks and is a great album from this great band. Check it out, you won't be disappointed (unless you're expecting Source Tags and Codes Vol. 2).
Best album of 2005, so far
Before this album, . . And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead were unknowns to me. Sure, I had seen their enigmatic bandname, but had I given any thought to what their music sounded like? No, not really.
So, it must have been around the date that this album, Worlds Apart, was released. The only track available for full listen on Napster was the title track. One listen had me hooked. The political statements it thrust forward, combined with the ringing guitar melodies was the perfect mixture of ideas for what I was feeling at that time. Without listening to anything else from the album, aside from a few short 30-second clips, I made sure to buy the record as soon as I could.
And I did.
Trail of Dead, at that point, wasn't normally something I would listen to. Sure, I had grown out of pop-punk bands like Sum 41, or New Found Glory, but I was leaning more towards the funk rock stylings of 311 or the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's quite plain to see that Trail of Dead reflects these bands in no ways. Their sound is that of an original one, a melancholy, introspective sound.
After a short intro, "Ode to Isis", which some may consider some type of war march, the music is thrown you in the form of "Will You Smile Again For Me?". This is the best way to start the album by all means. It begins with a pounding riff which blasts its way through your speakers/headphones. Suddenly, it slows down and the dreary sound of trumpets welcomes you. Conrad Keely sings warily over the brooding music, and then things are straight when the song is turned into a march, powered by the bass drum and Keely's story-telling lyrics. It ends in the way it began, with the guitars blistering a hole into your skull. By no means is that a bad thing! The whole thing adds up to about seven minutes, and I can guarantee that unlike other long songs, boredom will not set in.
The disc continues with a pair of gems in the aforementioned "Worlds Apart", and the piano-driven "The Summer of '91". Following these two powerful tracks is the majestic "The Rest Will Follow". One of my favorite tracks of the album, with pondering words over an airy guitar track.
The album continues with the frolicking "Caterwaul", but it's followed by the incredible opus, "A Classic Arts Showcase". Lead by a pure '90s riff, followed by a bridge of hopeful uncertainty, then back into the song at full force. Definitely a highlight of the album.
Another nostalgic song is added to the mix, with "Let It Dive". It definitely reminds me of something I've heard before, but I can never put my finger on what. It's not the best song, but it's still one you should listen to.
A change of pace is brought to the fore with "To Russia My Homeland". It's a classical piece, styled to sound like something a Russian composer would err. . . compose. It's mostly short filler, though, so I tend to skip it most of the time.
Back to the real music with "All White". The song is short, and sometimes feels incomplete, but it's symphonic qualities definitely make it worth a listen. Pounding into the off-kilter rhythms and riffs reminiscent of U2 is "The Best". A good song in all respects, ending with the wailing and sobbing of a woman. This mood is fitting for the final song, "The Lost City of Refuge". The song has a sympathetic mood to it, and it's like nothing I can describe. It's a fitting closer, a good way to wrap up this incredible album.
Overall: 4. 5 stars!
It isn't quite 5, so I rounded it down to 4 on Amazon. My recommendation to you would be to buy this album. It fits any mood, happy or sad! Thus far, the best album of 2005!.
Listen without prejudice
My appreciation grows with each hearing. I avoided buying this CD, put off by the early negative reviews, but finally picked up a copy, and I've been listening to it daily. My advice: Erase "Source Tags & Codes" from your mind and listen without prejudice, several times, before making a judgement. "Worlds Apart" is not as easily accessible as "Source Tags," but it's a beautiful, complex, and compelling work in its own right. You will discover jewels with each listen. Bands that care about their craft sometimes put out ungainly, experimental works that initially confuse their fans, but stand the test of time: I'm reminded of Pink Floyd's "The Wall," or "The White Album," or Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk. " "Worlds Apart" falls neatly into that niche. Thank you, Trail Of Dead, for "Worlds Apart"--I'm hearing you.
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