Search - Murder By Death :: Like the Exorcist But More Breakdancing

Funny song titles, Deep music

jesus_cloverfield | New Jersey | 11/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Take atmospheric soundscapes by the likes of Sigur Ros, Godspeed You Black Emperor, or any other semi-classical sounding post-rock ensemble, and add a thrashing, angry guitar and an angst filled Robert Smith/Morrissey type voice, and you've almost got something like Little Joe Gould. I like this album a lot. Except for the few instances where the singer sounds like he might be accidentally faking an english accent, and the hissy low-fi production value, the thing is nearly flawless. Fine music, with a spark of originality and creative energy which moves this novice band light-years ahead of most major label acts. The truly moving tracks on this album are the instrumentals. It's all about wild, near-symphonic power, starting with an sombre theme and building up slowly a wall of sound that threatens to become a great volcanic monster intent on ripping the skin from your body and devouring your circulatory system. Do not let the humorous song titles fool you: This is some deep, dark, angst-ridden material, gloriously bled forth from the culturally inept landscape of middle America. I take back what I said before about hissy, low fi production values being a negative thing. It adds to it. It sounds as if it was recorded in an ancient wooden shack somewhere, or an old church, by virtuoso performers who decided to get together and play their hearts out in the middle of the night. You can almost hear a coyote echoing in the background, getting ready to stand up and Rock.If you're really after a moving Little Joe Gould experience, though, see them perform live. There's something really cool about a show which starts with a girl playing a few bars on a cello, that ends with smoke coming out of a little skull onstage and the drum set being lit ablaze, while the piano player actually stands up on his bench and breathes fire, as the music comes to its satisfying climax while the emo kids surrounding you are rendered completely speechless. But what really sets this band apart from the other virtuoso, experimental, fire-breathing musicians of the world is their charming humility and friendliness, on and off the stage. These are artists who deserve support, who deserve a following. I want to hear whatever they do next."

Beautiful and original band, now called Murder By Death

A. Kohler | Louisville, KY | 09/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this band play live with Thursday, and they were incredible. Saying that I was totally blown away would be an understatment. Everyone in the crowd was shocked at how good a band that came on stage with a drummer, cello, keyboard, bass and guitar from Indiana could be. I didn't think that music this lush and structured and beautiful could be made by anyone. I went to the show expecting this band to be another mediocre cookie cutter hardcore band, and I was astonished at how moved I was by their music. Needless to say, I bought everything they had for sale that night...shirts, posters, CDs everything. This CD does not dissapoint, as it delivers rich and moving pieces of music, ranging from long winding instrumentals to stripped down rockers. There is so much to be heard with their music, and it creates a new listening experience every time you listen. This album is so deep and so beautiful, it's a must have. Give it a try and I promise you'll like it. PS Their new band name is Murder By Death and they have a new CD coming out within the next month on eyeball records. Buy it!"

Murder by Death--(new band name, still the same great music)

of_snowflakes_and_static | Coweta | 06/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well Thursday pulled into Tulsa this weekend...and with them came a few bands I have never heard of....the opener was Black Cross (pretty good, if you like hardcore punk), then Murder by
Death..(hear about them later) and the band right before Thursday, This Day Forward (another good band)....Well anyways after Black Cross I didnt know what to expect, and with a name like Murder by Death, it sounds Ear Crushing....but when they stepped on stage they took on a new light, looking in there own way like one of there fantasy knock off horror shows...with there carefully creepy music, making a wall of noise and then dropping off into one of there beautiful sweeping passages...The Keyboard and The Celloist bring a certain something to the band basically bringing them to life, while there bass player puts his own signature touch on the songs....in the back the drummer is wailing away on his set like its the last time he is going to play...and the singer is screaming his last dying screams.....this all in one track "those who left", and its how they closed there show....With all this which is just all visual, the cd does justice but no justice to what they are live.......if they are around your area pick up and go there, they are absolutely amazing and i would not have it any other way...they truly are the reason im a musician, when you see the celloist start crying at the end of the last song you know theres is a reason for playing....well enjoy"