Drop, Dead Gorgeous - The Hot n' Heavy (2009)

Artist: Drop Dead, Gorgeous

Album: The Hot N' Heavy

Date Released: June 2, 2009

Genre: post-hardcore/Metalcore

Album Review:

Hailing from Colorado, Drop Dead, Gorgeous have come a long way. I remember listening to In Vogue and cringing. But this album is pretty solid, and after having given it a few run throughs, I can say that it's grown on me. From the starting riffs to the ending notes, it hits you and hits you hard. Be it the abrasive cries, the wailing guitar, or the interesting lyrics, this album grips you. I'd say that this album is for fans of Blessthefall or Greeley Estates, who I might review at a later date...

I will say this: the album gets a little old after a while. If it weren't for the interlude near the end of the album, i'd think I had a song on replay. I mean, his angsty style of screaming sounds nice, but after a while i'm just waiting for the 6 feet of rope...sheesh. This, I will admit, is the most common turn-off of an album to me. So expect me to point this out a lot. However, this is a great album nonetheless.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Song-by-song:

Killing a Classic: A powerful intro track, just how intro tracks should be. The line "are you having trouble sleeping?" is still stuck in my head. So that's a good sign.

Southern Lovin' (Belle of the Ball): Sounds just like the intro track. I honestly can't say much more about this song.

Beat the Devil Out of it: Danny Stills sings in this one, and if it were mixed better i'd say I like it. There's also some keys in this one, which adds to the less abrasive side of this song.

Two Birds, One Stone: Even softer, this song starts with what is described inherently as a "terrible love song". Sleep in hell? Teenage angst. You're out of high school, peeps. Put the razors down. But that's emo for you I guess.

Sue Simmons! Watch Your Mouth: Starts out large and in charge, with some tasty dissonant chords. Me likey.

Fame: Some kind of electronica intro makes this song kinda unique, perhaps my favorite off the album. It's got an eerie tone to it.

(The) Internet Killed the Video Star: I don't bode well with this one. A tag line of "you f*cked with the wrong son of a b*tch" is somewhat shallow. SKIP.

Can't Fight Biology: Again, this stuff makes the album sound repetitive. Some explosive intro, and then the vocals take the lead for a few clever lines of lyrics.

There's No Business Like Snow Business: Again, this stuff makes the album sound repetitive. Some explosive intro, and then the vocals take the lead for a few clever lines of lyrics.

Interlude 1: Just KIDDING...there IS only one interlude. Reminiscent of a broken scene from some 19th century gala, this interlude fittingly reflects the album: repetitive...

Dirtier Than You Want to Know: ALMOST there...jeez. The vocals are a little fuller here, some deep growling stuff that I kinda dig. But same old same old.

We're Planning, God's Laughing: Deep lyrics, not sure if the song is referring to death of a friend, or of his own...I wish more of it was sung personally. But this is the slow song of the album, and I get what I get.