Between the Buried and Me Album: “Great Misdirect”

Although it would be hard for any band to follow up on an album like Colors (2007) -which was 64 minutes of well crafted musical insanity-, Between the Buried and Me (BTBAM) managed to write another album which is arguably better than Colors.

The Great Misdirect is a more thorough exploration of BTBAM's diverse musical influences. It contains a wider variety of sounds and musical concepts than their previous material. The technical prowess displayed in this release is absolutely astounding. This is by far their most technical release and easily the most diverse. Blistering metal sections are often starkly contrasted with mellow, melodic sections by dramatic shifts in dynamics, making for a more satisfying musical experience.

Those looking for more of BTBAM's early metallic material may be slightly disappointed because there are longer forays into softer melodic sections. However, these softer sections are well-written and display a greater level of musical comfort and maturity on the part of the band. I love this album for its diverse influences and its unquestionable technical prowess. Any dissimilarities to previous material are inconsequential in comparison to the level of songwriting displayed on this album.

I am now convinced that BTBAM are simply unable to make a bad album. The great misdirect follows in the same footsteps of Colors with a considerable musical progression, if that's even possible. This album throws brutality, melody, blues, "black metal", jazz, progressive, and experimental into a giant mesh pot and what comes out is excellence. To say this album is not a masterpiece would simply be a lie. It is the defining BTBAM album.

Each musician goes well and beyond their potential and pushes this album to the brink. We are still blessed with Brigg's masterful bass solos, Wagoner's absurdly precise guitar work, Blake's rock solid and technical drumming, Dustie's ridiculously heavy riffage, and Tommy's soaring melodies and brutal screams. This is without a doubt, the same BTBAM we have all grown to love; turned up a notch.

Another notable quality is the slick production. This album offers superb guitar tones, loud and punchy drums, crystal clear bass, and flawless keyboard work and effects throughout. An audiophiles dream come true.

From start to finish, this album is a creative, technical, and groundbreaking masterpiece. Between the buried me keep setting the standard higher and higher, leaving most others in the dust. This is the album to own for '09

Ok I've been listening to this cd non-stop so I feel like I can accurately write a review for it. As expected from BTBAM, they made another amazing album. To me it marks a turn in their careers. The reason I say this is because I feel like they are confident if that makes any sense. Being a band that's constantly blending genres, redefining them, and being a predominantly metal band on top of that, every step forward bands like this make are a step into the unknown. If Silent Circus was a taste or glimpse of what they could be, Alaska a premonition, and Colors the actualization of all that talent, then The Great Misdirect is the effort of a band that has found their sound (ironically enough for them it's a undefinable sound that they're defined by) and on top of that, know they're good at it. The impression as a long time fan put aside, this is why the cd is great. It's like Colors in the "flowing" sense, the re-use of certain riffs and lyrics (like in Mirrors and Obfuscation), you can put this cd on and play it from beginning to finish (still amazing because not even the greatest of bands normally do this, no less in 2 cds in a row!). Now the difference, the most noticeable thing to me is the "organic" feel I get to it. Whether it's the tone of the guitars or something else, there's a much more "natural" feel to this cd than Colors, the use of softer sections in the music is much more pronounced, they aren't just cleverly resolving death metal songs into some acoustic diddly, the songs NATURALLY go to that. It doesn't make me raise an eyebrow because of how the songs do this like they did in Colors but it does make me raise an eyebrow at the fact that they do it so seamlessly that I don't even get surprised by it. The use of piano is a little more pronounced as well which probably adds to the organic feel, I dare you to hear Fossil Genera's intro and not get all giddy and have a stupid smile plastered onto your face. Another thing worth noting is that the album is not as heavy as their previous efforts. Don't get me wrong, they are still a metal band, they still use growls, blast beats, and distorted guitar tones but it's not as concerned with being as dissonant and heavy as before. All this being said, the only reason this cd didn't get 5 stars is because I feel like at certain points in some of the songs they delve too far into the mellow acoustic stuff to the point that you lose your orientation when listening and you kinda forget that you're listening to them until the heaviness kicks in, sometimes I forgot I even had music playing as I was doing something and completely missed like 3 minutes of the middle of some song because it just didn't hold me. That being said, I'm really just nit-picking, the cd is amazing, get it if you like technical stuff, get it if you like groovy stuff, get it if you like totally original music, jeez just get it if you like music period!

I have been waiting for this release since I discovered "Colors" in the fall of 2007. I was not sure how this album would pan out but I must admit it is another masterpiece by Between the Buried and Me. If the musicianship of "Colors" mesmerized you, the energy of "The Silent Circus" enthralled you and the unpredictable mayhem of "Alaska" kept you coming back for more; your socks will be blown off upon the first listen of "The Great Misdirect".

Before listening to the "Colors" album I was not a fan of metal in any way, shape or form. If you consider yourself a fan of good music regardless of its label, pick up a copy of "The Great Misdirect" and prepare to be taken to another world.

to say the least, this was probably the most amazing album i have ever listened to. I didnt believe it was possible to have your mind blown by a cd, until now. I could not listend to the other albums i had purchased with it because none of them had the same intensity, fluidity, or technical prowess as this cd displays. afterwards i called my brother to tell him about it, and he told me he was having the same problem. ill try to sum up the pros and cons of this album for everyone:

pros-

Vocals are amazing. His death growls are tied with mikael akerfeldt's (opeth) for best, and his clean vocals are just as good.

Guitars once again create catchy riffs that are fun and interesting, as well as transition smoothly between passages and keep you wanting more.

i dont usually pay attention to drummers as long as they sound okay, so when i found myself following the drum beats, i was really suprised. his drum solo on "swim to the moon" was great, and his fills couldnt have been better.

None of the parts ever seem to be competing for attention, so its just as easy to get lost in the rhythm section as it is to bust out to the solos.

Everything is kept interestng. Even on the simplest/most laid back song (desert of song), they constantly change from the major to the minor of the same chord, and use more than just simple open chords. never a dull moment with these guys!

cons-

WAY too short. it was such an amazing album, and then like that it was over. made me wish they had at least 2-3 more songs (even with its 1hour play time)

can be hard to follow for those not used to their playing style (i started with alaska and proceeded to buy all their albums) and will probably overwhelm some people who arent used to 15+minute songs.

overall, a truly amazing album, one that has pretty much ruined all music for me as of this moment (i wasnt able to get into colors because i couldnt sit down and listen to it the whole way through at the time, but after this album, i think it will be easier for me). Id be willing to shoot somebody it they tried taking off with this. i just hope they make a live dvd/cd for this album, then all will be right in the world.