Review by Matt Miller
The Great Depression adopts an inevitable, moody lyrical theme offset by glaring juxtaposition of instrumentation between tracks. Lethargic sound flows into hysterical and back again without compromising the album’s power.
The title track opens The Great Depression with frenetic instrumentation, overlaid with a prosaic statement, that may seem contrived to listeners, but the following string of tracks quickly squelches any disappointment. “Heartattack” instigates listeners into a fury with a fast and heavy tone, and it even introduces the electronic element, which shows itself later on the album.
“Ask Me Now” assumes a slow, reflective nature as a stark contrast to the previous track, while “We’re All Going to Die” picks up with a swift speed once more, leading into “Yemkela,” which boasts ample power as well as speed. However, this track ends with a laborious slow series of piano notes that force listeners into a ballad, “Put Back the Stars.” Using music as a tool for transition, Blindside refuse to bore listeners with blocks of similar tracks on The Great Depression.
A dance beat repeatedly pulls taut and loosens around relatively simple instrumentation in “My Alibi” in a sort of progressive music relaxation. The beat even relies on a soft cymbal stroke at one point before launching into a full-on electronic dance melody. The following track, “Come to Rest” reflects this exchange with a sonic war between fast-paced, guitar-and-scream-driven punk and a spooky, swooping guitar melody overlaid with faint electronics. The song ends with a blues reminiscent slow acoustic guitar, overlaid with some rather hectic steel guitar notes.
The Great Depression concludes with a healthy portion of ambiguity which, embedded in the theme of depression, makes the final outburst, “When I Remember,” the most transparent track on the album. With such lyrics as a cloud moves in, rain falls, thunder strikes, and sunshine breaks through the clouds. I can cry out of sorrow and joy. Every drop of rain turns to crystal in the sun... listeners are exposed to the idea of hope in the final, dazzling use of contrast.