…AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF THE DEAD Tao Of The Dead (2011) CD

By 2011, Trail of the Dead had long since proven they were not a band interested in doing what anyone expected. Tao Of The Dead is their sprawling, ambitious double-arc record, structured almost like a prog concept piece from a band that came up through Austin noise-rock and never quite left the wreckage behind.

The first part runs as a single unbroken suite, nearly 36 minutes of shifting dynamics, post-punk architecture, and the kind of guitar work that rewards people who actually sit and listen to an album rather than shuffle it. Part two brings individual tracks back into focus without sacrificing the density. This is alternative rock for people who think alternative rock peaked when bands were still willing to be difficult about it. Conrad Keely and Jason Reece remain one of the more underrated rhythmic partnerships in the genre, and records like this are why.

Format: CD. Full length album. Origin: USA. Genre: Alternative rock, post-punk. Track listing: Part One, Tao Of The Dead (suite, 35:50), Part Two, individual tracks.

Fans of: Mogwai, At The Drive-In, Refused, Cursive, Hum.