And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - The Century of Self (Superball Music) The progressive label which is so often attached to …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead indicates that they are trying to continually change direction to deliver new and refreshing sounds. Having spent their 15 year history testing waters of varying temperament they reached an often perceived pinnacle, namely the critically lauded Source Tags & Codes of 2002, following which any future output has to be compared to; often less favourably. By their own admission The Century of Self, their sixth album, takes inspiration from their own back catalogue and this could be understood as a recognition of their commercially weak forays into psych-pop, stoner-funk, twangy folk, and electronica of their last 2 releases and them sticking to what they do best. A surging, almost obligatory intro of “Giants Causeway” leads into a first half string of speedy rockers (Green Day with keys?); “Far Pavilions”, “Isis Unveiled” and “Halcyon Days” – of which one or more could end up as singles. Then there are piano led rockers (“Bells of Creation”, “Inland Sea”) and mid tempo rockers (“Luna Sea”) and some are all of these. The application of infinite overdubbing consolidates the overall sound but equally does not leave room for much distinction. In a nutshell rock workouts laced with essences of grunge (the quiet / loud formula is often utilised) to which their brand of loosely conceptual lyrics - that are somewhere between myth and the imagined - are applied. It seems that the progressive tag could be wearing off. www.superballmusic.com Willsk Next