The Deadly Syndrome: Nolens Volens (Self-Released)

The Deadly Syndrome

Nolens Volens

Self-Released

Mar 23, 2010 Web Exclusive By Laura Studarus

In 2007, The Deadly Syndrome came roaring onto the Los Angeles music scene with a sound that featured off-kilter vocals, squeaky synths and songs that played more like epic bipolar journal entries than self-contained three-minute ditties. In short, theirs was the music of youthful exuberance. Sure it didn’t always work, but damn was it exciting! With their sophomore outing Nolens Volens, The Deadly Syndrome has taken a clear step towards maturation. While the licks are tighter and the lyrics more focused, it seems a shame that they’ve also shed their ability to crack a joke along the way.

This isn’t to say that Nolens Volens is without value —it’s just that this time around, The Deadly Syndrome’s virtues are strained under the weight of some very heavy baggage. If their debut, The Ortolan, is the wisecracking, heavy-drinking best friend from your college years, Nolens Volens is that same class clown with a mortgage, wife, and two kids. The album settles for moments of brilliance: The third act use of horns in “Armrest,” “Party City”‘s decidedly melancholic rock-out, and terribly fun, terribly misleading single “Wingwalker.” But for every sweetly restrained good time, there’s the pressing reminder that real life looms just around the corner, particularly in aptly named “After Work” and limp album opener “Villain.” While it seems unlikely they’ll be slinking off into the shadowy world of respectability, one hopes the days of waving their hands in the air like they just don’t care aren’t gone for good. (www.thedeadlysyndrome.com)

Author rating: 6/10

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Average reader rating: 8/10

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Noel
March 30th 2010
11:30pm

You should have taken a little more time to listen to the album. This review is less about what’s actually in the music than your ability to put critical words together in a sentence. The albums, both of them, are great and you should try being a little more sharp and a little less snarky.

Adam
May 27th 2010
5:16pm

Im surprised to see that this album didnt get better reviews, or even more reviews. Its a great album; different from the first, but still great. I also dont know how you dont mention Deer Trail Place in your review. That has to be one of the better songs Ive heard in a long time.

Jazz
July 29th 2010
4:31pm

I heard this band for the first time, live at the LA Street Food Festival. I downloaded Nolens Volens on the car ride home. I am a jazz and hip hop junkie, but this album taps into some very enjoyable musicality. Me and my husband are both intrigued by it…I’m glad I didn’t read this review before I heard it.

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