Three years after Dinosaur, Theory Of A Deadman are back with Part 1: Funeral Songs. Officially, it’s a six-track EP rather than a full album, but it finds the Canadian four-piece returning to precisely the sort of thing you expect from them.
“Barricade” leaves you in little doubt about that. Modern, polished and much closer to the classic Theory sound, it has choruses that go on for days and riffs that are considerably heavier than you might have expected. Whatever musical avenues the band might explore, this is where they appear most comfortable.
Appropriately, “Funeral Song” begins with the sound of an organ. From there, though, it positively revels in the demise of whoever inspired it. “You won’t be missed at all,” sings Tyler Connolly, and whoever this is about might need to take some time for serious reflection. The music itself is almost indecently jaunty, which only adds to the fun.
“Winnebago (Lay Low)” heads out towards country rock, albeit the sort of country rock Nickelback might make after filling the cool box and taking off on a long weekend. You can’t argue with its catchiness. Indeed, you’ll probably need to wash yourself with a wire brush to get the hook off afterwards.
“Monster Truck” comes roaring along next. The band reckon this is “the sound of America”, and they might have a point. No British group is making music quite like this: huge, shameless and seemingly designed to be played while driving something with tyres taller than most people.
There is a little more restraint to “Deep End”. Mid-paced and classy, it proves Theory Of A Deadman don’t always need to reach for the biggest possible chorus or deliver every line with their tongues pressed firmly into their cheeks.
That said, “Prenup” does exactly that. Jaunty, knowingly ridiculous and full of the humour that has always separated Theory from the countless bands that followed in their wake, it provides an entirely appropriate ending.
Part 1: Funeral Songs is short, direct and makes no attempt to disguise what it is. These are big, polished North American rock songs written by a band that understands exactly how to make them stick.
As Theory Of A Deadman put it themselves, this is the sound of America. It just happens that a band from Canada is providing it.
Rating: 8/10
