Once a buzz band and now a major-label castoff, Austin’s Trail of Dead have spent years trying out various combinations of sober art rock and ballsy loudness. Their indie-released sixth album skews dark and noisy, piling up ragged shouts and messy guitars, plus the occasional choral section and other grand gestures. Sometimes the combination is bracing: The upbeat "Fields of Coal" could make for a fine drunken singalong. But cuts like "Far Pavillions" and the six-minute-plus "Isis Unveiled" are dragged down by murky melodies, and the shadowy lyrics don’t help. Self’s intense sound feels like much ado about not so much.
CHRISTIAN HOARD
(Posted: Feb 5, 2009)