eseterik's Full Review: The Dismemberment Plan Is Terrified by The Dismemb...
"I know everybody here would love to get down and to wipe the slate clean and do what they want and say what they mean and eliminate the existential quandaries of modern postmodern reality. Ya dig?"
If you are laughing (inside or out) you'll most likely enjoy the sophomore effort of D.C.'s The Dismemberment Plan.
Named from a line in the film Groundhog's Day, the Dismemberment Plan (though very unfortunately dead - R.I.P.) were one of the finest bands of the 90s. Not only did they create a unique style of indie dance rock, but they evolved continually and successfully with each release.
From what I've heard, their debut, titled simply !, was high on punk energy and established them as one of the many promising bands that may or may not deliver in future offerings. Fortunately The Dismemberment Plan Is Terrified delivered, and surpassed most expectations, though it's still terribly underrated.
The album begins with "Tonight We Mean It" which proves for any questioning the truth of said title. It contains the hilarious and witty line quoted above, and the rest of the album is filled with hidden bits of one line brilliance in the same vein. "Tonight" and the following "That's When The Party Started" are fast catchy bits that set the tone of the album quite well.
Next is an utter classic that often threatens to overshadow the rest of a fine album in reviews. "The Ice of Boston" is perfect in so many ways. It's slower than the two preceding tracks and also more melodically and lyrically mature. The song describes the speaker, alone on New Year's Eve, and all the odd thoughts and actions he goes through while stuck in his lonely room. From the images of pouring whine on his naked body to yelling at Gladys Knight to "get a life", "Boston" is a fine entry into the laugh-to-keep-from-crying realm of song.
"Academy Award" is another fine humorous track that brings the energy level back up. "And the academy award for ridiculous over-acting goes to you/so get on up there and give us a speech!" singer Travis Morrison rants. "Bra" keeps up this mood with lines like "I'm goin' down the Amazon in a nice pink push up bra yeah".
"Doin' the Standin' Still" is a clever attack on those in the indie crowd who go to the Plan's shows but are too uptight to let loose and dance. "There's a brand new step that everybody ISN'T moving to" and "Six or seven kids watched the Plan in a strip mall/I thought they were bored out of their skulls/but it turns out they were having a ball". In fact, the song really makes me wish that I danced.
Things slow down a bit again for "This Is The Life". It snakes along on a groovy rhythm until sneaking into a melodic, catchy chorus. The fact is, like much of the album, there's not much to say except that it's a joy to listen to and glistens with the Plan's unique originality. This most likely can also be said for the faster, slightly jazzed-up funk of "One Too Many Blows to the Head".
Throughout the album, Travis uses his way with words and individual take on things to describe ordinary events or inevitable occurences. This comes to a head with "It's So You," where he is forced to use his sarcasm to deal with a friend's suicide. You can watch him go through all the emotions that arise from such an event. The hurt, the denial, and the anger all shine through no matter how hard he tries to hide them from us and himself.
The funk comes back for one last hurrah in "Manipulate Me". It's probably one of the most primal and punk-esque songs on the album and brings that side of the band to a nice close before we venture in to the final portion of ...Is Terrified.
Now, long repetitive dirges of indie rock that meander along a groovy bassline suck. Always. Well, almost always. Because somehow the Dismemberment Plan have not only created a piece in said style without choking on their own pretentious vomit, they do it so good that it's a highlight of the album. "Respect Is Due" is a 12-minute groove of a song that only comes to its inevitable emotional climax in the final minute or so. So why is it so successful? Possibly because the bassline is one of those irresistible drones that you can never tire of. And because the song contains lyrical gems like "I only call you darling/cos I know how much you hate it/and darling come habits are so hard to break", the title of this review, and great sentiments such as "condescension is sexy/and I don't know why you wouldn't think so".
The Dismemberment Plan Is Terrified is that rare album that exhibits a band's forward progression while also standing alone as its own work of brilliance. Like other albums of this ilk, ...Is Terrified should be viewed as it's own piece and not compared competitively with any other offering from this fine band.
And with this, I will end in sadness, for the Dismemberment Plan is no more. But I recognize whose band it is/was and respect Travis and the rest and trust that they know what is best.
R.I.P. The Dismemberment Plan.
We hardly knew thee.
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