The Dismemberment Plan Album: “!”

This being the Dismemberment's Plan first release, it's easy to simply write it off as one of those awkward, unsure first attempts that doesn't hold a candle to their later work ("Pablo Honey" anyone?). However, despite (or because of) the caustic guitars, the frantic drum work, and half sung, half screeched vocals, the Dismemberment Plan's first record "!" is actually an insanely good record. Things start off with the venomous 'Survey Says', with Travis screaming like his life depended on it. 'OK Jokes Over' also hits on the same mark. Granted, they do sound a little bit like Brainiac, yet they still manage to put their on spin upon it. Time changes veer guitars from one point to another like a speeding car, drumming hits hard and fast, and Travis alternates from the sing-songy talk to an all out screech. They even change the mood up a bit with the shimmering 'If I Don't Write' and the half instrumental, half song 'Rusty'. Obviously, this record is not for the faint of heart, yet, hardcore fans will definetly want to pick this one up, if not for the music, than at least for posterity.

After hearing Emergency & I, I had no idea what to expect from The Dismemberment Plan's older stuff. "!", their first LP is an explosion of post-punk (as they so immodestly call themselves) and fun and grooving and rhythm; with searing guitar riffs, divine bass lines and inventive, super fast drumming.

The lyrics have not quite evolved into bizarre, mesmerizing tales of love and memory erasing that you hear on Emergency & I, but they're still solid, and you can tell they're heading there with things like: "13th and Euclid / please help me / and the gun hangs between us / like a hangman".

This is a young, energetic Dismemberment Plan with a sense of emergency (har har) and humor. Really an excellent album, full of catchy songs and great choruses. For only 12 bucks, these twelve songs are worth all of your time and energy.

I'm suprised. The buzz about this band has been strong for a good amout o' time ...

As far as the whole post-punk genre (whatever that is) goes, Dismemberment Plan has struck new ground. Surf over to a professional review site for an accurate album description; suffice it to say that this is a fulfilling record.

It amused me at first and I loved it later. For folks with tastes that always tend to veer towards the odd side of whatever is coming out, this is well worth a listen.

FYI: Very little in common with their labelmates. Not a Fugazi part 10 or whatever...

There is no doubt that the Dismemberment Plan are one of my favorite bands of all time. But as much as I love their music, i have never really fully enjoyed this album. Compared to Change or Emergency and I, this album shows a completely different band. It's loose, noisy, and disorganized, which works, but not in the same way that their new stuff does. Get this if you're a die-hard Dismemberment plan fan, and don't expect it to be anything like the new stuff.