Trail of Dead's The Century of Self Album Review

The Austin Based Alternative Rock Band's Sixth Album Release

Mar 3, 2009

A review of ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead's first album release, since their 2007 split from longtime record label, Interscope Records.

“The Century of Self” is the first full length album release from the alternative rock band, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, since the band decided to end their tumultuous relationship with longtime record label, Interscope Records in October of 2007.

In spite of the band’s new found “independent” status; the Austin, Texas based rockers continued the recording for their latest album with excitement and enthusiasm, as it marked the next chapter in the band’s career.

Here is a review of the alternative rock band’s sixth full length album,“The Century of Self”, which was released on February 17, 2009:

An Album of Independence

And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, announced their separation from the band’s longtime record label, Interscope Records, in late October of 2007. The band had already begun recording on their album, “The Century of Self”, when they decided to put an end to their strained relationship with Interscope, over disputes about the label’s lack of promotion for the band’s music and their lethargic representation over the band’s career.

The band’s guitarist, Jason Reece, spoke out on the band’s break from Interscope Records in an article posted on the band’s website. In the article, Reece stated that the band’s departure from their mainstream label was, “a liberating experience”, and that, “Having behind-the-scenes things sorted has really allowed us push forward”. The band is now back to enjoying the life of being independent artist, with new representation from the independent record labels, Richter Scale and Justice Records.

Album Information

The band’s latest creation, “The Century of Self”, possesses a much stronger reflection of the band’s unique sound and artistic style than their previous works, with a less industrial sound than the band’s last two albums.

In August of 2008, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead‘s lead singer and co-founder, Conrad Keely, spoke with Billboard Magazine about the band’s departure from the traditional Studio recording process on their latest album. Keely told the popular magazine, “On the last two albums, we were really meticulous recording click-tracks and doing over dubs….. This time, we threw all that out. We learned the songs and all tracked live” (Cohen,J. 2008, Dec.9.“Trail of the Dead Readies ‘New Century’”.retrieved from www.Billboard.com).

The lead singer also revealed his passion towards art on the band’s new album. All of the album’s artwork was hand drawn by Keely with a blue ballpoint pen.

“The Century of Self” is one of the most inventive and flawlessly executed albums that alternative rock band, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead has ever created. The thirteen track album encompasses a captivating blend of imaginative songs, containing a much more focused and evolved sound than the band’s previous release, “So Divided”, in 2006. The album’s unique style blended with the band’s reinvented and intricately developed sound, help to rate it a 10 out of 10.

The alternative rock band’s sixth album is a flawless compilation of inspiring songs. And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is currently promoting their brilliant new album on their latest tour, which features performances by the New York rock bands, The Funeral Party and Midnight Masses.

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