Of all the post-hardcore bands to emerge during the early part of the new millennium, Dead Poetic rank as one of the most passionate and distinct. Their 2004 album New Medicines showcased the powerful vocals of Brandon Rike that led a solid instrumental section as well. Despite the fact that they haven’t existed in a decade, Dead Poetic shouldn’t be lost amongst the more powerful acts from the era.
New Medicines is a stunningly mature record compared to Four Wall Blackmail, their debut album. Memorable tracks like “Taste The Red Hands” and “Molotov” show what’s arguably the best quality Dead Poetic possessed – melodic vocals over heavy alt-rock riffs. Granted, it’s a path paved by Story Of The Year, Finch, and plenty of others, but Dead Poetic are great at that style as well. The way New Medicines succeeds here is because of good songwriting.
The way the band segues from mid-tempo verses to explosively melodic choruses is also very distinct. However, there’s also calmer numbers that are more successful at the melodic choruses – in particular, “The Dreamclub Murders” and “Glass In The Trees”. The former is one of the most hook-filled and catchy songs you’ll find in their catalogue, while “Glass In The Trees” manages to shake any listener’s core with an emotional, explosive ballad about the loss of a friend in a car crash. It’s also one of the band’s best songs overall, and provides a nice change of pace.
New Medicines isn’t an album that should be overlooked by fans of older post-hardcore. Great lyrics and anthemic songwriting collide to make this Medicine perhaps the one to cure you.
