

Newest Review: ... songs ('Chrome' in particular) rather than merely trying to win over teenage goth girls with recycled depressive lyrics. The album is qu... more
Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Last Fair Deal Gone Down - Katatonia

Member Name: Frankingsteins
Product:
Last Fair Deal Gone Down - Katatonia
Date: 12/08/08
Rating:
Advantages: Improved instrumentation, tighter focus.
Disadvantages: Most songs follow the same structure.
Although it's still not up to the standards of the band's earlier albums, 2001's 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' is an improvement over the bland style of its predecessor 'Tonight's Decision,' returning to a focus on strong musicianship in many songs ('Chrome' in particular) rather than merely trying to win over teenage goth girls with recycled depressive lyrics.
The album is quite varied, despite all coming under the overarching style of depressive rock, and several songs contain comparatively upbeat sections, as is the case with 'Teargas' before it slows down. 'I Transpire' manages to be effectively slow and engulfing in a way that the previous album's tedious 'Had To (Leave),' and the band incorporates nice touches such as the violin (or perhaps synth-violin) in 'The Future of Speech.'
Jonas Renkse's singing is much improved over the previous album, as he has now evidently found his own distinctive approach, and the keyboards are used more effectively to create and enhance the atmosphere.
1. Dispossession
2. Chrome
3. We Must Bury You
4. Teargas
5. I Transpire
6. Tonight's Music
7. Clean Today
8. The Future of Speech
9. Passing Bird
10. Sweet Nurse
11. Don't Tell a Soul
Summary: Katatonia's fifth album (2001).

