You know, when I read the new Liars' album review at Pitchfork (they gave it a 9.0), I really expected something different. I expected a return to roots of dance punk with maybe a little extra experimental noise for added coolness effects, but what I got was the same sort of crap from the last album. To put it bluntly, if you thought They Were Wrong, So We Drowned sucked, you are going to think Drum's Not Dead sucks. The album title itself is deceiving, because you expect some really kick ass drumming to be laced throughout the album, but alas that is not the case either.

Drum's Not Dead is a concept album with two imaginary characters taking center stage. The first character is Drum who represents the band's fiery, energetic side while the other character is Mr. Heart Attack who represents self-doubt and stress. 11 of 12 songs are named after one of the two characters, and while in writing that might sound like a really interesting idea for a concept album, the music itself is stale. Original fans of the band will again be disappointed and left pondering what happened to this band.

The first eleven songs on the album feature a total disregard for song structure and instead explore endless realms of psychedelia and noise experimentation. Vocal melodies are a mere afterthought as Angus throughout the album mumbles incoherent phrases and patterns that contribute to the cloudy atmosphere of the album as a whole. The guitars and drums too are sporadic and subdued for most of the album. In the rare occasion where this is not the case (such as on Hold You, Drum), the songs simply go no where. In Hold You, Drum, the drums/guitar/vocals are all clearly defined foreshadowing something dramatic in the future, but the song drags on pointlessly, speciously delivering a build up with rabid, even tribal drumming that results in nothing but a continuation of the same patented Liars' electronic drone.

The single It Fit When I Was a Kid could make it as some sort of strange club beat with the pulsating bass rhythm that opens the song, except they completely change direction midway through the song and return to their uninspired meaningless dribble. It is just one of perhaps eleven examples where they could take the next step and intensify their sound but instead choose to remain dreary and dark. Mr. Heart Attack seems to seep into every song and ruining any chance of the Liars breaking this decrepit structure in which they have trapped themselves.

One song that is sort of the exception to this rule is Drum and the Uncomfortable Can, a song that I had an easy time getting into upon first listen. This song features a solid crescendo of distorted feedback and pounding drums that results in a satisfying climax with Albertson really letting loose on the drums in a wild onslaught. This is Drum at his most passionate and energetic, and it is most welcome after the restrain that dominated the first 8 songs on the album.

Only one other song stands out as potentially being enjoyed by more than just the most devote of Liars' fans. The closer The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack sports the most conventional song structure of the entire album and coincidentally happens to be the most enjoyable song on the entire album (imagine that!). Angus sings "I won't run far / I won't run far / I won't run far / I can always be found / I can always be found." The lyrics and his choice delivery make for a touching final song that I had no problems relating to my own life (a first for this album). The irony of course is that the song is sung from the first person view of Mr. Heart Attack (Mr. Self Doubt and Stress), so the song becomes more troubling than touching when you realize who "can always be found." It is mind journeys like the above that I think the Liars hoped listeners could partake in with every song on this album, but sadly the music just gets too much in the way for that to be possible.

Brandon Stosuy ends his Pitchfork review with the following line: "Drum's Not Dead is a majestic victory lap, and on all levels, a total fucking triumph." What is he talking about? I am really not sure. To me, this is just the same old shit from the Liars that we saw in 2004. I miss the days when they used to write fun, interesting music. Buy this album for background music at work, or to piss off your friends who only listen to music like Kelly Clarkson or the Foo Fighters, but don't buy it expecting "a total fucking triumph." If you do, you will be soon wishing you had your $15 back.

By the way, the album comes with a DVD that has 3 different videos for every song on the album. I have not seen this DVD nor do I plan to anytime in the near future.

Score: 6/10