Between the Buried and Me – The Great Misdirect

Review by Justin Lebb

I started this review with the highest of expectations.  Since I stumbled upon 2007’s Colors, I have come to realize that Between the Buried and Me is making a case for being recognized as one of the most talented bands of the decade.

At first glance, you will notice that the album only has 6 tracks.  Please note that it only makes a difference in your mp3/cd player.  The idea is to listen to the album in its entirety, from start to finish.  This is entirely possible as you start to lose track of time starting with Track 3, Disease, Injury, Madness.  The idea of 6 tracks, 4 of which are close to or over 10 minutes in length, seems like a throwback to 60’s/70’s progressive bands that devoted an entire side of vinyl to 1-2 songs.  The only difference is that BtBaM takes the concept of a “song” and throws it out the window.

Verse, chorus, bridge: all of these things seem to be missing from their songwriting process.  Instead of the traditional format, BtBaM delivers an assault of tonal pleasures in wave after glorious wave that seems like it’s improvised.  Please don’t interpret this as a comparison of one of those horrible “jam bands”.  Anything on The Great Misdirect that sounds like a jam was planned and will be replicated as such in live shows.  For a perfect example, please listen to their previous effort Colors and then Colors: Live.  Note for glorious note.

The lulls are few and far between from the start to the finish.  The only things that I think the majority of people would frown on are the vocals.  Tommy Rogers has a wonderful singing voice, but he pretty much screams 80% of the time.  It is off-putting at first, but I am come to realize is nothing more than another instrument.  If you can do the same, you will be able to appreciate an hour-long work of art that gets better every time you listen to it.

Best song – Hard to say because the album is seamless.

You should also listen to: Between the Buried and Me - Colors and Colors: Live

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