07 June 2018

DEAD MAN’S EYES – Words Of Prey 2018 (LP/CD Tonzonen Records)

First physical release (LP) for these Cologne Indie-Rockers, as their previous album was only digitally released in 2013 through their Bandcamp page. The press release reads: “Those who have witnessed Dead Man’s Eyes, know how their arrangements alternate between jazzy, dynamic key- rhythms and guitar-powered, mantric jams within seconds. Without getting lost in an ecstatic, repetitive maze of confusion the polyphonic vocals guide the listener through a wide range of songs. On stage, the band presents itself energetically, and creates a strong atmosphere. Within the last years, Dead Man’s Eyes shared the stage with international acts such as Tame Impala, Band of Skulls, The Datsuns, Black Mountain and many more… After locking themselves up in a windowless room for approximately two years, nourished solely by coffee and their own hair, Dead Man’s Eyes now return to the daylight and present to us Words Of Prey, the new long play album that will be released in cooperation with Tonzonen Records on limited edition vinyl, CD and digital”…

Well, the album consists of 9 songs, 4 songs on the first side and 5 on the second side. “Radiant Smiles” is the opening track, a guitar-based alt-rock tune that the band also made a video to promote it. Their shoegaze, alt-post-rock, Americana influences are starting to be shown in “Dive”, which follows. “Be Good” is a dark post-rock ballad, alt-country influenced, emerging a cinematic feeling. It could easily be part of a Josh Homme “Desert Sessions” from the late90s… The fantastic “What Are You Waiting For” closes the side A. Starting hypnotically, but becoming alternatively psych under a trippy dark psychedelic soundscape, quite melodic that gets druggier towards its end! Superb! The whole side B is a real surprise! It’s like the band decided to change the musical mask that they used on the first side… “This Old Place” is a groovy happy jazzy rhythmic tune with lots of late 70s Floyd pinches! The interlude “This Old Interlude” follows, which is just… an interlude, ha! The deeply Blues influenced “Two Dozen Eyes” brings to mind the happiest moments of the 16 Horse Power, harmonica plays a significant role in this tune while the guitar refers to an imaginary Spaghetti Western tune!!! “Robot Sophia” is a brief melancholic song, like the ones Billy Corgan used to write back in the early 90s! Album closes with the ballad “Fire Of My Own”, imagine Tom Waits and Moby in a Nick Cave song with Madrugada as the backing band! In conclusion, “Words Of Prey” shows an excellent musicianship with a really inspiring songwriting, beautiful songs with fresh ideas, an album that I enjoyed listening to! (TimeLord Michalis)

RELEASE INFO:

Label: Tonzonen Records

Format: LP, Vinyl, Album, High Quality Marbled Vinyl, Gatefold Cover

Format: CD, Album, Digipack

Release Date: 22 June 2018

Tracklist

A1	Radiant Smiles	3:33
A2	Dive	3:30
A3	Be Good	4:26
A4	What Are You Waiting For	5:15
B1	This Old Place	5:20
B2	This Old Interlude	1:14
B3	Two Dozen Eyes	4:59
B4	Robot Sophia	2:35
B5	Fire Of My Own	5:06