Drum's Not Dead is the third album by experimental rock band Liars, released on February 20, 2006 through Mute Records. It was recorded at the Planet Roc recording studio in Berlin and produced by Angus Andrew. The album's atmospheric sound is characterized by pounding drums, highly distorted guitar drones, and falsetto vocals. Upon initial release, the album featured a DVD with three different long-form music videos of the entire album.

Drum's Not Dead
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 20, 2006
Recorded2004
StudioPlanet Roc, Berlin
Genre
Length47:29
LabelMute
ProducerAngus Andrew
Liars chronology
They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
(2004)
Drum's Not Dead
(2006)
Liars
(2007)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic79/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Alternative Press5/5[3]
The A.V. ClubB+[4]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[5]
The Guardian[6]
Mojo[7]
NME7/10[8]
Pitchfork9.0/10[9]
Rolling Stone[10]
SpinB−[11]

Pitchfork ranked the album number 6 on their list of the Top 50 albums of 2006.[12]

Background

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Drum's Not Dead emerged in 2004 as a loose concept album following the recording of a shelved album, which the band then used as a musical blueprint.[9] The album's title and several track names refer to two fictional characters—Drum and Mt. Heart Attack—who, according to the band following the album's release, represent a state of being, à la yin and yang. Drum is assertive and productive, the spirit of creative confidence. With two drum kits integral to many of these percussive, propulsive, highly rhythmic convulsions, Drum came to be acknowledged as a fourth member of the band. Conversely, Mt. Heart Attack is the reaction to Drum's action, the embodiment of stress and self-doubt. Both became key characters in the creative process of the album.[13]

Track listing

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  1. "Be Quiet Mt. Heart Attack!" – 3:28
  2. "Let's Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack" – 4:31
  3. "A Visit from Drum" – 4:19
  4. "Drum Gets a Glimpse" – 4:14
  5. "It Fit When I Was a Kid" – 4:02
  6. "The Wrong Coat for You Mt. Heart Attack" – 3:59
  7. "Hold You, Drum" – 4:42
  8. "It's All Blooming Now Mt. Heart Attack" – 3:09
  9. "Drum and the Uncomfortable Can" – 4:55
  10. "You, Drum" – 1:15
  11. "To Hold You, Drum" – 4:04
  12. "The Other Side of Mt. Heart Attack" – 4:45
DVD
  1. "Drum's Not Bread" (directed by Julian Gross)
  2. "The Helix Aspersa" (directed by Angus Andrew)
  3. "By Your Side" (directed by Markus Wambsganss)

References

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  1. ^ "Reviews for Drum's Not Dead by Liars". Metacritic. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  2. ^ Phares, Heather. "Drum's Not Dead – Liars". AllMusic. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  3. ^ Segal, Dave (May 2006). "The birth of a great new strain of tribal goth rock". Alternative Press (214): 178. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  4. ^ Battaglia, Andy (April 5, 2006). "Liars: Drum's Not Dead". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  5. ^ Gunatilaka, Timothy (March 17, 2006). "Drum's Not Dead". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  6. ^ Cooper, Leonie (February 17, 2006). "Liars, Drum's Not Dead". The Guardian. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  7. ^ "Liars: Drum's Not Dead". Mojo (148): 106. March 2006.
  8. ^ "Liars: Drum's Not Dead". NME: 35. February 18, 2006.
  9. ^ a b Stosuy, Brandon (February 22, 2006). "Liars: Drum's Not Dead". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  10. ^ "Liars: Drums Not Dead". Rolling Stone. May 26, 2006. Archived from the original on March 12, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  11. ^ "Quick Cuts". Spin. 22 (3): 95. March 2006. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  12. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2006". Pitchfork. December 19, 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2006.
  13. ^ "Drum's Not Dead". Mute Records. Archived from the original on April 5, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
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