Although the short-lived quartet
Dead Low Tide, comprised of former members of
Murder City Devils and
Enemymine, imploded in its first year, this self-titled disc stands as a testament to the power of the group. Finished after
DLT officially disbanded, the eponymous set finds vocalist
Spencer Moody front and center for diatribes about breaking in and breaking up like "Ill Eagle." All the while, an undercurrent of melody is slave to the master of mayhem that
DLT creates, be it on the reflective, piano-touched "Lazer Lazer Lazer Love" or the superb scorching,
Fugazi-esque rocker "White Flag." Guitarist Nate Manny and bassist Mike Kunka work off each other nine impressive ways to Sunday, as drummer Coady Willis pummels his kit and somehow retains control of the chaos, but by the time "Shake and Slide" arrives,
Dead Low Tide have reached the dead low end, wrapping things up by falling into some weird atonal buzz that drones on an on. Just the same, the bulk of
DLT's swan song is an incendiary hello-goodbye sure to please disciples of both the aforementioned
Fugazi and
Hot Water Music. ~ John D. Luerssen