In 2009 I discovered a band called Dance Gavin Dance that amazed me. My young mind was not prepared for what DGD were; they drew me in like a moth to a flame. Their combination of groovy riffs and heaviness just blew me away, and as the years went on, my love for one of Rise Records’ (blessthefall, Mayday Parade, Silverstein) greatest bands has grown even with the constant lineup changes (their current vocalist Tilian Pearson is the third vocalist the band has had since 2005). Simply said, this band holds a special place in my heart. Don’t believe me? I praised Mothership when it descended from the heavens back in 2016.
With that said, I knew that their eighth album Artificial Selection, or as the fans call it ArSe, would be as fantastic as their past records. But the more I listened to ArSe, I could hear something different. Nothing to be alarmed of, but I heard a tiny bit of change. This however shouldn’t surprise me.
Remember last year prior to Warped Tour when the band released “Summertime Gladness”, a groovy-as-fuck summertime song that was nothing but a damn good time? That song was basically foreshadowing us what ArSe would sound like. Thank God I loved it, because a majority of the songs off of ArSe sound like it.
ArSe starts off by continuing the saga of the Robot With Human Hair with his son (“Son Of Robot”. The opening number, much like the rest of the album, groovy like a Justin Timberlake song yet banging like a Fourth of July fireworks show. And it doesn’t stop there. From the fast and energetic “Midnight Crusade” to the body shaking banger “Count Bassy” and the guest spots from the ever so beautiful Kurt Travis (ex-A Lot Like Birds) appearing on “Shelf Life” (he was the band’s second vocalist after original vocalist Jonny Craig left to join Emarosa) and Andrew Wells of Eidola on the closer “Evaporate” just seal the deal. Case in point: every song off of ArSe is incredible and they’re all my favorites. I can’t just pick one!
“Care” has to be the most unique songs off of ArSe. This one song is where most DGD fans like myself felt something odd. The lyrics aren’t just silly words thrown together. To quote Joshua Underwood’s comment from the song’s YouTube video, “What?! Moderately sensical lyrics from Dance Gavin Dance?!” “Care” is a song with a clear, concise story that anyone can understand, just don’t overanalyze it like this guy did.
Much like every other DGD album, ArSe is a work of pure art and each member has a chance to shine on the album’s unbelievable 14 song track listing (the longest track listing on any of the band’s previous albums). Drummer Matthew Mingus pounds the fuck out of his kit on “Midnight Crusade”, Tim Feerick’s bass oozes sex on “Gospel Burnout”, and the man, the myth, the legend himself Will Swan shines on “Suspended In This Disaster”. Also Jon Mess’ songwriting sounds wonderful throughout this album. The Kris Crummett (Avion Roe, Issues, Stolas) / Dryw Owens (A Lot Like Birds, From Indian Lakes, Hail The Sun) / Erik Ron (Godsmack, I See Stars, Picturesque) produced album is once again the pièce de résistance that fans have grown to love for years. Keep it up, DGD.
Punk Goes Prenatt 