John Denver is turning in his grave...
EerieVonEvil | The Rabbit Hole | 09/01/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...and he should be because El Creepo is a wonderfully melodic and demented trip into insanity courtesy of Todd Smith (Dog Fashion Disco, Alter Boys, Polkadot Cadaver). If you are a fan of any of those previously mentioned bands (which I am assuming you are, having made it to this page), then the El Creepo album is a must have. 90% of the songs on here are acoustic ditties reminiscent of Haunted Holiday and Chloroform Girl from the Polkadot Cadaver album. Most of these tracks have a somber dreamy quality to them. However, like all of Todd's other projects, he can't help but have a few tracks that all the sudden burst into a collage of heavy genre-bending styles. Lyrically, Todd does not stray from his usual musings of murder, mutilation, madness, suicide, and all the things that make life swell. Being a fan of DFD and all his other projects, I have to say that the lyrics on El Creepo are his best yet. Todd performs all the instruments and singing on this album. Drum duties are handled by DFD's original drummer John Ensminger (of course). DFD's Jasan Stepp provides some cello work on Bloody Mary that will remind some folks of DFD's Adultery record. Best tracks are the jivin' Orange Peel Sunrise, the 80's pop influenced Hot Little Temper (love this track), and the mexican/industrial/rock insanity that is the title track, El Creepo! Again, if you like any of Todd's other projects then you need this album because it is right up your alley. DFD's demise has only brought many more great projects of Todd's to fruition so I am thankful for that. Be on the lookout for his new metal band Knives Out who has an album on the way, as well as a new Polkadot Cadaver album. This is chill music for serial killers.
"
Hoorah for Todd Smith!
Mike Sheehan | NY | 09/20/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album was a grower, I wasn't too impressed on first listen, but I've really begun to dig it. My favorite tracks are "Wtich Hunt," "Hitman," "El-Creepo!", and "Hot Little Temper," (I LOVE those four, for the record) these are also the four most dissimilar songs, the rest are pretty chill acoustic pieces. I can't give this album five stars when thinking of Dog Fashion Disco's "Adultery," it just isn't that good. Also, almost of all of his songs are about murder in some way, and it's a little monotonous. That said, I also have to disagree with Eerie in that these are not his best lyrics, the whole of "Adultery" deserves that title, when his murder cliche's are put in a well thought out, controlled, conceptualized album- that is essential Smith. Ultimately though, I'm glad that he put this out because I was starving for another long strange trip to paradise."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1