Liars
Drum’s Not Dead CD/DVD(Mute)
By Kristina Francisco
Published: March 1st, 2006 | 12:00am
One word comes to mind to describe Liars’Drum’s Not Dead: scary. Gone is the dance-punk of their 2001 debut, They Threw Us in a Trench, as the now Berlin-based band moves further in the direction of their sophomore effort, 2004’s They Were Wrong, So We Drowned. Early tracks like “Drum Gets a Glimpse” are reminiscent of Animal Collective, but Drum’s Not Dead is undoubtedly more haunting and sinister. This is a concept album based around two characters: Drum, representing creative confidence, and Mount Heart Attack, symbolizing self-doubt.
And with this album, it seems that Liars have shed all self-doubt, decided to play on two drum kits, and embark on a journey that may alienate earlier fans but pushes the trio’s creative limits. The accompanying DVD marries music to cinema with three 45-minute films of animation, tour footage, recording sessions, and a snail soundtracked by the album. Drum’s Not Dead challenges you to actually sit still and listen to it, but in the end, especially with the beautiful closer “The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack,” one can appreciate the creative vision that Liars have decided to take us — and themselves — on.
Issue #36
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