The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis

You know, nothing will ever come close to Calculating Infinity. I actually loved the Miss Machine record but even though it's still a pretty heavy experimental album, Calculating Infinity destroys It. Ire Works, I like a few tracks in there but definitely not their best. Although you have to give them credit. It just shows the talent they have that no other new band have these days posses. I'm guessing they will for sure get more mainstream success. But as long as they demonstrate some talent and just great music... then it's all good. Still, even if they don't have the aggressiveness they had back with Dimitri and Patton, they are damn too heavy for the mainstream. Well I guess more songs like Milk Lizard and Black bugglegum will help them out. Eh...

I pity the people like you who fail to appreciate anything post-Calculating Infinity. DEP have evolved and developed into perhaps the most exciting force in modern music; they are leading a sonic and conceptual revolution, and you're missing out.

Also, I must agree that this review tells us very little about the record, other than the fact that it isn't CI. Having not yet heard the album in full, I can't argue that the album is deserving of more than 3/5 stars, but you've said nothing to support your opinion (unless 'an angry Brandon Boyd' is meant to be an insult?). Thankfully, this piece should pale into insignificance amidst the furore and anticipation that surrounds the release of OP. I still can't wait.

You pity people like me with an opinion contrary to your own? How very good of you.
Brandon Boyd is used in the above case to epitomise the crushing banality of pocketmoney-oriented mainstream metal. Especially the tragedy of a once virile, edgy group letting their music get flabby with kerrang-friendly emo pish in an attempt to try prise the coppers out of children's sticky hands.
I think what you actually mean is that this review doesn't tell you what you WANTED to hear about this album. In which case, too bad. Go read Kerrang.

Mike Patton strays a little to close to an angry Brandon Boyd? He seems to forget that Mike and Mr. Bungle was one of the biggest influences on Incubus in the beginning. He's got that backwards.

Chris, thank you for your response. I appreciate that you've taken the time to elaborate on the opinions that I don't think you fully articulated in the article.

I certainly don't pity you for holding an opinion on the basis that it is contrary to mine. I was merely expressing a sense of sympathy towards those who aren't able to enjoy, for whatever reason, the progression of the DEP sound since Calculating Infinity. The exploratory nature of The Dillinger Escape Plan gives me great pleasure; why wouldn't I want to share this feeling with others? I do concede though that 'pity' may not have been the wisest choice of word. I didn't wish for it be perceived in anyway patronising or pompous. If it has been, I apologise.

I maintain that you haven't quite justified your assertion that the change in direction is a matter of money. I'm sure that if you were to speak to a member of the band with regards to their ethos, beliefs (and financial situation, for that matter) you'd soon discover that they are not a band who concern themselves with becoming a commercially viable brand. Even with tracks such as Milk Lizard, Black Bubblegum and Gold Teeth on A Bum, how wide is their demographic anyway?

Throughout it's existence, DEP has always tried to maintain a strong sense of integrity and the band have always made decisions accordingly. As they have stated before, it was never their intention to re-write Calculating Infinity; Ben Weinman is far too ambitious and sophisticated for that.

I respect your opinion, but I can't help but feel that it is undermined when you make the assumption that I read Kerrang, and that I'm only interested in reading positive reviews. I'm only interested, as I'm sure you are too, in discussing music and sharing our opinions. Thanks.

There's an interview with the band coming to the website in the next few days. Stay tuned.

Not a big fan but this seriously got to be the worst review I have ever read, it's not even a review, more like a wikipedia summary of the band.

I disagree with the review but it's a well constructed case for such a short piece. Credit where it's due, right?

I think the review is well written - after all a review is merely an opinion of a record, and in that case i'd much rather read someone saying that they perhaps don't rate this record so highly as others because it isn't quite as original or pioneering as some of their previous records than reading over-ebbed descriptions of songs. If you disagree with a review then don't whine like a 13 year old on an internet forum and have a go at the author, it is after all just their opinion and they arn't stopping you from liking it. Music is subjective and therefore a review will never be a definitive 'good or bad' benchmark. I say this not having heard the albukm btw, but given what I heard on Ire Works I can see this album being a far cry from the earlier stuff.