Dance Gavin Dance - Jackpot Juicer (July 29, 2022) Album • Page 39

We're sick for the big sun
Alone though and drip drip drip drip drip drip drip
I realize that too

 

Album leaked. I had very low expectations before all of the Tilian stuff came out. The last album was so bland. This one is easily, hands down, their best album. If Tilian never fucked up, this would be launching them to the moon.

 

I'm certainly going with a negative preconception because of Tilian's presence but so far it sounds like... one more Dance Gavin Dance album to me, except with a longer runtime. Will delivers some stunning guitar work as usual (Holy Ghost Spirit in particular), Andrew's vocals are a much welcome addition, and I liked the use of strings on the opener. Other than that, nothing else really stands out and I was bored halfway through it.

When Andrew pops up, his performance is a bit close to what I imagined a Matt Geise-led iteration of DGD sounding like had the latter joined the band back then. It makes me wish there was an alternate version with him on all clean vocal duties.

 

Looks like their current tour is a lot of fun. Kurt did Rock Solid, Carl Barker, & Uneasy Hearts with them last night, and videos show Andrew absolutely killing it on vocals. Definitely shows the potential a Tilian-less DGD has.

 

Where did you guys find the album?

 

This is kind of like if ArSe was better quality (songwriting and production) crossed with Parallels and more Andrew. Not doing anything groundbreaking, and there’s no moment that made my jaw drop like a bridge like Care or a Deception or Inspire the Liars. Might groove a little more than Afterburner. Dunno. It’s solid on first listen though. Surprised it’s quality all the way through with as many tracks as there are.

 

I have no interest in listening to this album, so anyone who wants to chime in feel free because I am curious. Especially because you say it's their best release. Besides what I've read about tilian singing in a lower octave on one of the singles, throughout the album does he do anything else different with his vocal?

 

DGD with Geise was my biggest dream haha

 

Not really.

 

This album is probably their best since Mothership, although it feels more like a perfection of their existing formula than a full-on evolution.

Will's playing is the best it's ever been, even though I wish he'd incorporate some more influences, as the zippy modern swancore sound is starting to sound a bit like a caricature of itself. Tilian & Jon are both at the top of their game singing-wise. Jon's vocals sound familiar with just enough new tricks to keep my attention. And all misgivings aside, Tilian is a one-of-a-kind talent who knows how to up the ante with his vocal layers & melodies each time. Kris engineered some great drums sounds that really emphasize Matt's playing, and he's clearly having fun bouncing off of Will's riffs and going crazy on the cymbals. Coming into this record cognizant of the fact this is Tim's swan song, I really fell in love with his playing on this record. He never lingers on one note to long; he slides around and does his own thing, while also locking in with the drums and complimenting the guitars.

However my main problem is that Tilian's shtick of being a callous, edgy, Shadow The Hedgehog, 4chan boi is so goddamn irritating, especially given everything we know about him now. Like these lines absolutely confound me:

"It's been about fifteen years since I've changed my mind about any opinion
Clutching to all the same fears that live in the tissue of my protoplasm
Talking heads, fuck the feds
So well-read, I'm impressed
How did you acquire all this undue confidence by babbling about current events and begging people 'Smash that like?'"

That's a lot of words to complain about... Youtube SJWs? Geez, yea, if he ends up getting permanently replaced, I am not gonna miss him.

 

How is Andrew on the new album?

 

Definitely more prominent! For the Jeers and Swallowed By Eternity stick out. Sometimes he sounds a little strained by the notes he’s trying to hit (almost like he’s trying to match Tilian?) but when he’s in his comfort range he sounds great.

 

That would've been great. At one point they almost had Kellin Quinn as their vocalist.

 

I preferred Tilian vastly over both of those options. Geise was always trying to sound like Palumbo a little too much for my taste.

 

This is what Kellin's audition submission was I believe.

Thomas Dutton of Forgive Durden/Only Twin also auditioned, and Nic Newsham of Gatsby's American Dream was offered but he turned it down and featured on 'Uneasy Hearts Weigh The Most' instead.

 

Kellin really lucked out not joining DGD haha

 

Why in the world was he thinking of leaving SWS for DGD? I liked ToM already when Tilian joined so I was stoked when it happened.

 

Kellin auditioned for Dance Gavin Dance in late 2007/early 2008 and Sleeping With Sirens formed in 2009.

 

Oh so we're talking when Jonny left. That makes a lot more sense.

 

For the Jeers is the best they've ever utilized three vocalists. Song rules.

 

If I'm not a dog, will I be able to hear the vocals?

 

I’m probably in the minority on this site, but I don’t mind Kellin or SWS. I think his lyrics are meh, and SWS is inconsistent as fuck, but I genuinely like their albums Madness and How it Feels to be Lost. That said, very happy Kellin didn’t end up in DGD because I don’t think his style would mesh well with the band. I had no idea Thomas Dutton was also in the running for DGD vocalist though. I love Forgive Durden so I’m curious how that would have turned out.

 

Nic Newsham is the only one that I think could've worked out, maybe Geise.

 

I think the couple songs on here like Jeers just sound messy. I listened while on my run and this didn't do much for me. But their stuff usually grows on me with more listens.