I’ve just had the time to sit through your new release Implications of a Genetic Defense. I recall a gig we had with Kopecky in Kenosha where Mr. Berkowitz hinted at the crime/comic/noir concept they were working with. I was instantly intrigued. Fast forward a few months later, and I was very pleased with “Serial,” which I’d heard before the M.A.R.S. festival, so I knew I’d be picking up the disc there. The live performance that night only sealed the deal.

The first thing I noticed was that the layout of the CD booklet was fantastic. The pictures help to convey the story; each page’s iconic picture quintessentially conveys the mood of the track it accompanies. Some may argue that certain images are over the top, but I say nothing screams self-righteous madness like a man disemboweling his victim with a chainsaw while wearing a white bloodstained lab coat (no, I’m not exaggerating, it really is there).

I’m really happy for you all with the way the disc sounds. Troy, nice job on the production. I could really dig into the music thanks to the clarity that is unobtainable in a live setting. I mentioned to Jeff that for me what makes the new songs stand out is the fact that with this lineup, the partwriting has come a long way. No longer does each instrument battle for the listener’s attention, but the five of you are content to give and take the limelight, providing a much more pleasing aesthetic. I like the clever theme of meters in five you all use. Of course, I first picked up on this during the aptly titled “A Fifth of Madness,” which is predominately 5/8 before returning to the 6/8 theme from “Serial.” I then noticed that the pattern that starts “Watercolor” is grouped in 5. On a hunch, I went back and listened to the piano theme from both “The World News” and “Justification.” Sure enough, it was broad strokes of slow 5/4. Awesome. These are just what I’ve picked up on in my first listening, and I’m sure there will be other gems revealing themselves in subsequent doses.

Ok, so if you’re going to do a concept album, you’ve got to have a good story, right. Well, you do. I’m really glad that you guys didn’t fall into the trap a few other prog bands trip into, that of trying to build such a Gemachtkunstwerk that the plot becomes too cumbersome for its own good. Convoluted by too many characters and subplots, these grandiose would-be swan songs drudge on with too much exposition, too little songwriting. DX, you kept the plot a nice, neat, package limited to only a few necessary characters. What’s more, you used a good mix of longer songs to convey intentions and emotions, and shorter tracks to pack in the details that preclude the turning points in the story. I especially like the device of “The World News” in conjunction with the picture. The track and image give the listener everything needed to embark on their dark journey. Also a big treat was hearing the unmistakable voice of Bill Kopecky as Officer Tibbitz (sp?). I think my favorite lyric of the disc is “Target Number 12 was clever-Pled for life for about an hour-His argument had holes and so he bled.” Wicked stuff. I also want to make one final comment on the story. I applaud you all for your bold conclusion to the story and to the album. While others might plod along with another whole song of dénouement (or even worse, two), you keep it true to the POV of our protagonist. This truly makes the story his first person descent, rather than viewing through a third person’s filter, judgment, or commentary. Thanks for leaving me to make my own decisions as to how justifiable Dr. Bryce’s actions were.

All said, I’m really impressed with your latest CD. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to the next time I run into you guys. Bravo.

Sincerely,

Brad
 

Oops. Second listen today. Noticed that the keyboard parts like "The World News" are actually in 9, not 5. Also, Bill plays the other cop, doesn't he?

My bad.

Brad
 

The two cops are officers Tibbets and Hacket. I sometimes lose track of which is which too. Mark Krueger is the second cop, by the way.... which makes the whole scene even more amusing.

However it landed, the darker theme from "The World News" was originally composed in 5/8. At the start of the writing process, essentially before we had even concluded to make this a concept album, we were playing around heavily with the 5/8 tapping bass line from "A Fifth of Madness". The line that comes in at the end of Serial and is reintroduced in the 6/8 section of A Fifth originally lived over the 5/8 tapping thing. It was moved to the 6/8 to smooth it over as the 5/8 treatment of it gave the melody a decidedly rushed feeling.
 

I really can't express how happy I am with this disk! It is getting to the point where it is constantly running through my head. I find myself tapping the bass drum parts and trying to whistle the guitar parts while sitting on the toilet. It's bad...
When can I expect another dose of Dimension X (a.k.a. audio crack?)?
~J