More on: dEUS

Label: V2
Release Date: 28/04/08
Rating:

dEUS aren't exactly known for producing music that exemplifies an easy listening experience, but 'Vantage Point' is probably the most mainstream-friendly offering from the creative Belgian rock outfit so far.

First number 'When She Comes Down', is a gently paced, cinematic gateway to the record. Tom Barman's husky vocals switch consistently between talking and singing as an understated grumbling guitar gives way to a keyboard-peppered chorus. 'Oh Your God' follows immediately in a similar vein, jittery distorted guitars fight constantly crashing drums before another epic, slow burning chorus rises from below. Sarcastic lyrics swirl around a look at faith and strange statements, such as "I did 34 push-ups instead of 68", roll effortlessly off Barman's tongue like gumballs.

'Eternal Woman' heralds a shift towards the straightforward in the form of a simmering acoustic piece that meanders coolly between verse and chorus. Advancing slightly, we are given 'Slow', a broody prog-rock number with vocal contributions from Karin Dreijer Adersson of The Knife, and 'The Vanishing Of Maria Schneider', a soft ballad featuring Guy Garvey. The stand-out track happens to be that which is not typical of the trademark dEUS sound. With its electro leanings and buzzing bassline, 'The Architect' serves up something bold and fresh that shifts more towards 80s new wave than the customary touch of 90s grunge.

'Vantage Point' is a glimpse of dEUS at their best, their imaginative rock undeniably benefiting from a couple of new tricks. Best of all, their newly accessible songs do not compromise the sound at all - this is a record still more daring than a lot of modern rock records. There are only a couple of brief moments where the music does not come off maybe as good as it could have, but in the end this is a small gripe when looking at the bigger picture: a record that often varies in style and subject matter, but never in quality. Fans and newcomers alike, this is definitely worth investing in.

Graham Drummond

dEUS Official Site
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