Originally Posted by: Cryptic ExcretionsBy far, Are you dead yet is the least innovative and least creative thing they've released. Like Jolly, I too adhere to their older stuff since there was far more thought and care about the musical value involved. Now all they have is watered down, easily digested, chunky power chords. And being "interesting" doesn't mean it's good or remotely exciting and toned down guitars and keyboards (as well as every other instrument in the given band) tend to cause that as a side effect.

In the end, I'm sure you and Jolly and I are going to have to agree to disagree, but I can tell you that (with a few highlights here and there), the bass and drum parts for Something Wild, Hatebreeder and Follow the Reaper are utterly boring. They're there... they're solid and they serve their purpose but in no way do they contribute anything extra to the songs. I still love those albums, but it's the guitar and keys that are maintaining my interest, not the rhythm section.

Of course, the bass still isn't stepping out much on Are You Dead Yet?, but for the first time their riffs are something I could play and stay entertained and the drums are finally adding a lot to the songs.

Again and again with this album, I'm finding guitarists feeling the way you guys do and bassists and drummers who love it to death -- go figure.