On their Facebook homepage, Die! are described in these exact words:
Die! is:
The Inevitable Ilan Moskowitz
Milo Rayo
Dante Marchetti
Die! isnt:
a socially acceptable thing to shout.
So now that we’ve got the ardous task, of all the boring biography information out of the way, let’s get on and hear what Die! actually sound like.
The album in question is “Du Willst Action” which is available for download at Bandcamp.
It kicks off with the raucous uptempo intro, “Blue Jean Skirt Girl” with a lyric that goes something like this: “Jean skirt girl if I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put you and me a little closer, why aren’t we fucking yet? And when you talk it goes..no,no,nooo!” Upbeat guitar and drum lines are met by perfectly poppy vocals that have the perfect amount of grit beneath them. The song features clean instrument lines that help to carry the vocals before leading into a more groove-like downbeat chorus.
“Song For Douchebags” is a 59 second ode to all douchebags, rolling drums and splashing guitars accompany the bellowing vocals along a witty lyric line…which yes, definitely features the “fuck” word!
“Amy” improves on the foundations already set by the two openers. Crashing drums and guitars join the delicously picked bass lines to keep the song hot paced in its steady, upbeat tempo. The instruments never let up nor strip themselves back, as Ilan Moskowitz’s striding vocals come in over the top singing, ‘Amy, why you gotta go and be a crackhead’. The sing-along bridge and chorus are perfectly constructed to be sung aloud in a live setting, and for the most part, it is clear that the songs on this album will translate perfectly played before a live audience.
“The End Of Dollar Drink Night” confirms what is already totally evident from the opening tracks. The seamingly effortless powerhouse beats throughout the verses and choruses, that showcase the forceful and dominant vocals by Ilan Moskowitz. The instruments, no matter how chaotically they are played, always crash together cohesively, creating a chaos that works perfectly in this genre.
“Cosmic Drinker” continues to highlight the vocals but this time the rest of the band are a little less intrusive, keeping a light bouncy, upbeat tempo going from beginning to end.
“Fuck The Eighties”, “Punched In The Face” and “Modern Love” are built apon Camilo Rayo’s scorching rhythm guitar riffs and bass, all carried by the usual vigorous rolling drum beats. The tracks are fast upbeat efforts, featuring the David Lee Rothish timbered vocals, courtesy of Ilan.
“San Francisco Seven” is another real catchy sounding pop punk song and once again highlights some endearing vocals. Something that definitely stands out when listening to this album are the vocals. Ilan Moskowitz, who is also the band’s drummer is an incredibly able vocalist. His unique vocal range, something this particular genre doesn’t always offer, and the appealing tones in his voice, allows “Du Willst Action” to go in a variety of different directions, making it extremely versatile for a pop-punk record.
“You Can Sleep On My Couch” cleverly features a a couple of borrowed lyric lines from the immense genius of the Talking Heads’ “Once In A Lifetime”. Brilliant!
“The Trance Session” is a mid tempo acoustic handclapper which has a curious Tom Waits sounding vocal thrown in for good measure.
The album closes with an acoustic guitar and vocal demo-version of “Punched In The Face”. This raw studio take, adds a clever personal touch to an otherwise energetic electric album.
Die! are fundamentally a no-nonsense dynamic rock band, whose sound is driven by sizzling guitar rhythms and cracking drumbeats. Add in the potent, appealing vocal deliveries and clever musical arrangements, plus the witty tongue-in-cheek acidified lyrics contained within their songs, and you know that “Du Willst Action” makes for a damn fine pop-punk album.
For anybody who loves this genre. This is a “must listen” album!
VISIT THE DIE! MUSIC PAGE HERE
VISIT DIE! ON FACEBOOK HERE
One Comment
Billy Joe Lynott
This band sounds the result of Sam Cooke & The Clash getting into an orgy with The Violent Femmes and producing some kind of eclectic lovechild!!!