Label: Interscope
Release: November 14 2006
Hometown: TX



9.5 (out of 10)


Such interesting and intriging subject matter, that has spawned the efforts and the sound of this prolific band. Gathered from texts of ancient Babylonian, Mayan, and Egyptian, amazing correlations and ghouling couincedences in verbage have stirred the mystery and wonder that fuels the band and many lives. "And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead" will be the last sentence in many sayings and warnings, even as this Texas sextuplet rears its musical machinery and creative engine to form the mysteriously titled "So Divided."

   An intro is forged and in silence it is harnessed for "Intro: A Song Of Fire And Wine." Commotion is heard over a restaurant background as slow guitars form an anthem that is cheered for. The beginning allows for an easy shift towards the next song, "Stand In Silence." A live crowd cheers and shouts as a traveling guitar matches wits with a revving bass line. Ethereal singing and up beat drums provide the soul for the limbs and energy for the mind. An ambient bridge creates a memorizing feeling, as your eyes feel heavy, it lulls you to sleep and has you dreaming in bright loud color. Drum are forced upon and race along as piano trails are formed and sound of rain drops in the forest for "Wasted State Of Mind." Dramatic singing adds to the atmosphere that envelops the sky and drowns you in thick fog. Combinations of instruments make this collection a variable cornucopia of experiences and feelings. Solid drums stand as monolithic structures that allow for the comfortable guitars to static around it and make "Naked Sun" gleam. An old western feel drapes over the dusty ground as vocals inform the lyrics instead of singing them. Scraping guitars shred the body and leave you in a pile on the floor, before continuum returns to normal in chorus form. After the ruckus, a calm and serene mountain airiness surrounds you and embraces you in all of its understanding glory. "Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory" conforms with pianos and caressing vocals. It is a shorter trip then the ones before it, but it's quiet, yet firm disposition makes you appreciate it just as much.

   The title track "So Divided" stumbles in as a depressed beat collects itself for what is sure to be trouble. Amalgamations of acoustic guitars and drum progression launches this former lethargic beat into a quick paced highway drive. More up beat guitars and vocals raise the sunset as you sit on your cars hood and wonder what the new day has in store for you. Bass stretches and is caught in the strange strangle hold of the simply titled "Life." Out of the ordinary sounding bits of music poke their heads out to display their distain as a slow moving beat shuffles along the ground, leaving foot prints in the soft dirt. Vocals conform to the misshapen and clouded music that is moved along a path with pianos and crazed ghoulish guitars. "Eight Day Hell" contains a jolly romp fest that seems out of place with the title, and yet fits in a weird way. One thing that is brought to mind is Dante's Inferno on Broadway with highly excited characters, and some Muppets. Then there was "Witches Web," which glides along in its slow motion groove with acoustic guitars and ever gentle pianos. Lyrics are honest and cold, yet with a bright outlook. As a heavenly chorus lifts you into the sky with effects and echoed guitars providing your wings and euphoria. The interestingly labeled "Segue: In The Realms Of The Unreal" takes the most general of sounds and muffles their sounds into a long hallway as jungle breezes are slowly grown louder by a pounding drum and echoing pitches. The slow information of words and cognation of sounds, allow for the transition into insanity. As the final song emerges under the name "Sunken Dreams," we are treated to crashing waves and rolling winds that seem to thunder against the metaphorical ship on the waters that drown such dreams. Worried vocals crack and are lost in the cold night air, as guitars and pianos calmly blow a sign of relief that echoes over the horizon. A bright sunrise brings tears to your eyes as you were meant to survive the night and stay afloat and share the story for others.

   There aren't many albums and artists that can create such a vivid account of journeys that allow you to experience it first hand through someone else’s eyes. They have managed to compile an album that, much like their name, is spoken in many different ways and for many different reasons. It feels as if after listening to this album, I was taken to the tallest points of the world and the lowest bowels of the ocean to find a truth that man has been searching for all his life. After the exposure to this album, I would say that if anything we are not divided at all, and the sound will help us unite to the strongest we have ever been.

~ Pernell
October 28 2006


...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead
So Divided
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