The Disease Dyslexic Experts In Reverse Psychology

While many bands have tried to integrate keyboards into heavy music in the last few years with varying levels of success, none have done it as completely as The Disease. Groups like the Locust most often use the keyboard more to fill out a song, but The Disease has taken another step, structuring most songs around their keyboard. While there are certainly times on this album that aren't as inspired as others, this record as a whole stands out as musically inventive and original. Keyboards aside, The Disease generally sounds a bit like a cross between Today Is The Day and a screamo band, only slower. It really took me a few listens to even pay attention to anything that wasn't the keyboards, but I found most of the guitar and drum work on this record to be pretty solid as well. The first time I put in this disc and pressed play, I was confused. The first fifteen seconds or so are a keyboard beat that sounds pretty much like Trio's "Da Da Da" (the song from the Volkswagen commercial). The beat leads into a great mid-tempo song however and the first moment of many on this record where I was impressed by the clever placement and use of keyboards. Each of the next eight songs is about a minute and a half long and alternate between the jazzy instrumental style of "Yeah, Yeah" and the spastic blasts of "Bad Review in the New Heartattack." "I Want A Moustache, Damn It" opens with a great Refused-esque drum intro leading into one of the best screamy hardcore songs in recent memory. This song and most of the others on this album are very memorable and a big part of that is thanks to the keyboard playing. While it is quite often for me to distinguish bands that play this sort of music from one another, I have no doubt I would be able to identify a Disease song and that's what really impressed me about this band and this record. To be honest, the production on this record lacks at times, but the quality of the songs made up for it to me. A lot of the tracks would have felt more complete if the bass was a little louder. Unless this is the sort of thing that really bugs you, it shouldn't really be an issue. My only huge complaint is the way that the last track just ends without any sort of warning or resolution. Whether it was intentional or not, that sort of thing just irks me. Bottom Line: The Disease are a fun band who have put out a pretty good record. It's not necessarily going to be my new favorite record, but it should be a welcome addition to the collection of any fan of the Locust, Pg. 99 or Today Is The Day, as well as any fan of bands who are doing something a little different. If keyboards aren't your thing, you might not really dig it, but in my opinion The Disease are good enough to convert the skeptics.