Review: Dance Gavin Dance – DBM2

Artist: Dance Gavin Dance
Album: Downtown Battle Mountain II
Genre: Post-hardcore
Label: Rise Records

When news broke that most of the original members of Dance Gavin Dance were reuniting and recording a new record, opinions seemed to be divided. The group had parted ways with powerhouse vocalist Jonny Craig in 2007 due to “extreme tension” within the band, but found a strong replacement in new frontman Kurt Travis.

With two different lineups, DGD released two critically acclaimed albums, Dance Gavin Dance in 2008 and Happiness in 2009. But even with this success, there were still legions of fans yearning for the return of Craig, former screamer Jon Mess, former bassist Eric Lodge and the musical stylings of debut full-length Downtown Battle Mountain. Much to their delight, DGD announced that they would be recording a new record and reforming the band with all but one member of the lineup that recorded the debut.

Though DBMII was not written as a continuation of the first album, it’s clear that much of the same songwriting style has returned. The record kicks off with “Spooks,” a frantic, technical song that might catch you off guard when Will starts rapping halfway through. But it’s this injection of risky moves that differentiates DMBII from its predecessor and keeps the listener wondering what could be coming next.

The album flows seamlessly through more traditional DGD tracks “Pounce Bounce” and “The Robot With Human Hair Pt. 2 1/2.” Bursting with energy on “Thug City,” Craig gets in touch with his rapper alter ego again as he proudly shouts the band and album name before the band kicks in. The song carries on nicely as the guitars and drums rise and fall against Craig’s soulful voice, with Mess providing strained but powerful screams behind him.

“Need Money” is a standout track on the album, adding vibrant horns to the mix and passing off most of the vocal duty to Mess. The drumming of Matt Mingus is especially impressive here, as he changes tempos on the drop of a hat to accommodate the song’s rapid-fire evolution, with guitarists Will Swan and Eric Lodge following suit.

After “Elder Goose” and “Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex” bring us back to the trademark DGD sound, “Blue Dream” steps in to completely change the game. The song begins sounding more like a B-side from Craig’s R&B influenced solo record, before Mess and the rest of the band take a wild sharp turn into grindcore. This progression happens one more time, before the band decides that the rest of the song will be springy funk-influenced rock. The album closes out nicely with “Swan Soup” and “Purple Reign,” again showcasing the intricate work of Mingus, Lodge and Swan.

For those of you waiting with baited breath for Downtown Battle Mountain II, you will not be disappointed. The band’s experimental songwriting has grown by leaps and bounds, and both vocalists are relentlessly energetic. There were several moments on Downtown Battle Mountain that made the band sound like backing music for Craig’s sweeping voice. But this time around, the band is front and center, showing off their impressive ability to grow as musicians and build upon the sound that made them icons in the contemporary post-hardcore scene.

Score: 9/10
Review written by: Rebecca Frank

James Shotwell
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42 Responses to “Review: Dance Gavin Dance – DBM2”

  1. atwfaj says:

    Great review, but Eric Lodge is the bass player.

  2. Howlermonkey says:

    Did you hear the bonus tracks as well?

  3. I did not! Looking forward to it though :)

  4. Whoops, thanks for catching that! Fixed now :)

  5. Anonymous says:

    leak it

  6. Be patient, it’s worth the wait ;)

  7. Roudrist says:

    no, you should totally leak it.

  8. David_alecu says:

    please leak it

  9. I’m assuming you’ve never listened to a single song by dance gavin dance in your life if your calling Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex their “trademark” sound. Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex sounds nothing like anything Dance Gavin Dance has ever put out. As far as the band being backing music for Craigs “sweeping” voice, thats the point. That’s what Dance Gavin Dance fans want. Jonny’s (and Kurts) sweeping voice is the biggest reason that Dance Gavin Dance is so amazing. If the entire album is like Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex and The Robot With Human Hair Pt 2 1/2, with Jonny barely even singing, then this will be a very dissapointing album, and I’m sure every true DGD fan would agree.

  10. Bcar says:

    Nah, you’re kind of stupid for saying that. Any real fan of dance gavin dance doesn’t rely on jonny or kurt for the good sound. It’s the music backing them that counts. Kurt blows, could never hit one note live just on records. Will swan is an insane song writer and to go off and say the reason everyone listens to dgd is to hear jonny is just dead wrong. Learn to appreciate the music.

  11. Peter Butler says:

    Cool looking forward to it :) Can’t decide if I’m looking forward to the gig dates in london now after all the Jonny scamming his fans shit kicking off. I tried to cancel them for a refund but it’s not possible. I don’t think I’m going to pay in excess of £200 to see a criminal >_> (if it’s all true, still hoping it ain’t)

  12. Hugh says:

    Couldn’t have said it better myself Bcar… Spot on dude

  13. yeedawg says:

    yea… so throughout kurts almost 3 year stint with dgd he never once hit a live note comparable to that of a studio song… wow. its amazing to see that all of jimmy craigz fans are just like him. scam artists and liars. fuck off.

  14. “so throughout kurts almost 3 year stint with dgd he never once hit a live note comparable to that of a studio song.”
    someone doesn’t have ears. He was horrible live. I don’t know why you Kurt fans are so fucking stupid.

  15. Deadwalk98 says:

    LEAK IT

  16. anonymous says:

    leak it PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz

  17. Anonymous says:

    i wouldnt have to be patient if you would just leak it

  18. If I’d never heard a song by DGD before, how could I compare albums…? I was referring to the standard sound of the album as a whole. This album really doesn’t sound anything like DBM, or any of the previous records, for that matter. Jonny obviously sings for a lot of the album, but he’s not the center of attention the entire time.

  19. I agree that the vocals shouldn’t be the center of attention for this kind of music…there’s way more going on in the background! I wasn’t really impressed with his live performance personally, but that’s just me!

  20. Yeah, I’m curious to see how people will react to all this! Glad you’re looking forward to the record :)

  21. […] Here is the Q&A with Rebecca Frank.  Check out her review of Downtown Battle Mountain II here! […]

  22. tj says:

    actually you sound stupid, what she was probably trying to say is that dtbm jonny’s voice had out shown the rest of the bands talent , but on this record its probably more balanced your not a true dance gavin dance fan your a jonny craig cock rider :)

  23. ^_^ says:

    and your nose and big and your unattractive

  24. QueefsAreYummy says:

    Some of you people are idiots. DGD is not about one sole thing. It’s about Jonny’s voice, Mess’s screams, Eric’s bass, Will’s guitar, and Matt’s drums all together as one. It’s about the way all those things flow together in this fucking awesome harmony. So just STFU and love DGD, all of you.

    P.S-LEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAK IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT.
    Haha, jk.

  25. voice of reason says:

    your hideous

  26. anonymous says:

    Please just leak it already or give us another song perhaps, since the band is too busy to do so! :D

  27. Filipino girls on my sofa. says:

    Leak the fucking album cunt.

  28. itssafetosay says:

    IT LEAKED!!! :D

  29. Hbhj says:

    Way to play with my emotions… LIAR!

  30. guest says:

    where

  31. guest says:

    where

  32. itssafetosay says:

    yup that was the first time I really trolled, no leak!, but I know ive wanted this leak so badly, more then any other cd ever, so I knew some people out there had to be like me and would get so excited to see “IT LEAKED” haha sorryyy :p

  33. Guest says:

    You didn’t even know who the bass player was? Are you freaking kidding me?

    Would someone tell me why this ignorant woman is reviewing a band she seems to not know a single thing about. I mean she said Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex was “signature DGD sound”….

    That right there should tell anyone reading this article that she is a complete fake. This review sounds like it is nothing but forced crap so she can ride DGD’s tailcoat while everyone is looking for a leak and accidently stumbles onto this awful review.

  34. harvest says:

    haha dude you just ripped this reviewer to shreds

    while i wait for the release, i too would really appreciate a thoughtful, detailed review of the album by a long time fan that really understands dance gavin dance as a whole. this review basically says things we all know without even listening to it yet… will, matt, and eric are fabulous at their instruments and jonny and jon are stellar vocalists. my primary questions about the album were not answered at all. if heat seeking ghost of sex is the standard sound for the album then jonny will have no intensity on this album whatsoever. whatever, still excited as hell though

  35. Daaanzzz says:

    the only way to redeem yourself is to leak it

  36. Simonsert says:

    After listening to the album I can totally see where the reviewer was coming from. I think this is a pretty good review actually. The album is pretty impressive as a whole, For me the guitars and drums have always ben the standout thing. Jonny’s voice was just a bonus. This album is really well produced as well. I really didnt like the production on Happiness for example and ive always felt Kurts voice didnt do the music justice. This album is back to the Dance Gavin Dance i grew to love. Incredible album. I just hope jonny isnt too much of a dick and I get to hear more stuff like this in the future. Elder Goose is the stand out track for me.

  37. I can’t tell you how much I disagree. I’ve been a fan of these guys for a while I don’t listen to them for JUST Jonny. I listen to them for their crazy rhythms and mix-up fucked-up weird music that sounds amazing. If you listen to them just for Jonny, gtfo and go listen to his solo album.

  38. Don’t listen to them then. If you’re going to complain about one person in the band’s personality, you’re wasting your time. Listen to them as a whole and don’t give a fuck about their life. I sure as hell don’t and I still love Jonny’s voice and the band altogether.

  39. Louisornelas says:

    wtf you missed Privilously Poncheezied that song is awwwsome!