Artist: Type O Negative
Title: Life Is Killing Me
Release Date: 2003
Roadrunner Records
Reviewed By: The Noble Savage
Date: Friday October 20, 2006
Well, the Boys from Brooklyn New York busted out after a few years of laying low. Rumors fly as people think the Singer/Bassist Peter Steele is dead, the funny thing is that the band goes along with it and posts a gravestone with R.I.P. Peter Steele 19xx-20xx. They put all rumors to rest and released a mindblowing CD that is more uplifting than the last one, World Coming Down. Peter Steele was really not all that proud whith that CD due to the fact that he wrote it during the worst times of his life.
This CD shows a 180 degree turnaround in the total atmosphere of the CD. More humor and uplifting lyrics and beats, well for Type O Negative. They are considered Goth Metal/Doom & Gloom Metal, but they really are not!! They have went a direction that only few go due to the distance it keeps from mainstream music.
On my copy of the CD, I have the Following tracks:
Thir13teen
I Don't Wanna Be Me
Less Than Zero (<0)>
Todd's Ship Gods (Above All Things)
I Like Goils Dish Best Served Coldly, ... A
How Could She?
Life Is Killing Me
Nettie
(We Were) Electrocute
IYDKMIGTHTKY (Gimme That)
Angry Inch
Anesthesia
Drunk In Paris
Thir13teen- This is an instramental that is roughly 1:07 long and is a great intro showing the grittiness that TON (Type O Negative) has. Strong and heavy bass with a lot of "Chung Chung Chung" to it. I really wish that they built a longer and more complex song from it. Oh well, great intro to the CD.
I Don't Wanna Be Me- This song starts out sounding like a Misfits start but it morphs into a more of a POP like song. This is more of the higher tempo tunes on this CD even though the lyrics are more of a darker nature.
"Two steps forward, three steps back
Without warning, heart attack
He fell asleep in the snow
Never woke up, died alone
Please don't dress in black
When you're at his wake
Don't go there to mourn
But to celebrate"
It shows a different side of the band, which I really like. This is not my Favorite track on the CD but it is really up there though. This is a great start to the CD which sets you up for the fall on the next track. I thought it was rather interesting for the placement of this track. The next track is much deeper.
Less Than Zero (<0)- This song starts out like something Black Sabbath or Soundgarden would have done. The guitar, both bass and guitar start out with a deep, dark and driving sound. I love the fuzzy distortion sound that this song has. The guitarist, Kenny Hickey and Bassist Peter Steele really seem to play in tandem and the bass and guitar lines seem to intertwine. The song carries a nice 1970 grungy sound with a nice touch of the 1960's when Josh Silver programs his keyboards with a killer Sitar sound that seems to be peppered on the song. The song seems to be about an interal look at ones self and questioning God's reasons for his misery. This is truly an unique song that is sure to get a bit of replay value.
Todd's Ship Gods (Above All Things)- In the start of this song, you can hear the sounds of a shipdock with the blast of the Foghorn along with the sound of seagulls. This sets the mood for the song, which seems to be about advice given from a father who has long past. The typical TON grungy, tuned down guitars give a great starting point to this tune. The drums on this track are really hard and powerful, care of Johnny Kelly. Use of the Ride with the emphesis on the bell gives it a serious and strong tone to lead the tune into to the chorus. On the chorus, the song morphs into a 1960's "ooooh, oooooh" then returns to the grungy fuzzy sound that they are famous for. For such a dark song, the music ends on a very high note, waiting for what comes next. This is one of my favorite songs on the CD, thats for sure. It seems that it was arranged and produced extremely well. In all the song was well put together, thanks Josh Silver!!!
I Like Goils- This is a rather funny tune about Peter Steele getting hit on by homosexual men. Since he did the spread for Playgirl Magazine, he has become a sex symbol of some sorts. He has become legendary not only for how large he is, over 6 foot 6 inches but also the size of his yoohoo. Well, little did he know that the majority of the readers of Playgirl Magazine are not women, they are mostly homosexual men. Well when he has signing sessions, men would come and ask for an autograph on the Playgirl Magazine. In doing that, they would be aggressive and try to slip a phone number or try to have Peter go out with them. It was to the point where it was very aggressive and them knowing he is a straight man. Well, this is a song about Peter telling these people that he dont swing that way, He Likes Goils (Girls). Goils seems to be the way they say it in Brooklyn. The song is a very upbeat, fast driving tempo and high energy song in the likes of the Ramones. Not my all time favorite but still a great song that will have you humming it all day long and the tune will play endlessly in your head like a broken record.
Dish Best Served Coldly, ... A- This song is a typical slow and hard song that really defines ToN to a T. With keyboard bits that remind me of Black Sabbath's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath song "Who Are you". The song is a collage of differnt tunes from differnt eras and it is really done well. The use of Peters vocals in this song can show the listener that he can be quite versitile in his style and range. This is a great song that I really love!!!
How Could She?- This is a great song that has an overall intersting feel to it. The guitar on this track is a total departure from typical TON songs. I don't know much about guitar other than I love the sounds that can be created. Some of the lead work that Kenny Hickey did on this sounds like the effects that Joe Satriani did on his CD Crystal Planet. It is a very spacey sound that gives an intersting groove. Later on in the song, the sound turns back into a typical TON tune that sets it up for a Carnivore like sound that is FAST, HEAVY and HARD. The song
returns back to the groovy 60's beat and that is how it eventually ends, abruptly!!! The song is rather funny because it is an ode to all of the Female TV stars from the past. There are really very few other lyrics but a sample of this is:
"Wilma Flintstone, Marcia Brady, Alice Kramden, Gladys Kravitz, Laverne and Shirley, JeannieMorticia Adams, Aunt Esther, Sweet Polly Purebread, Natasha, Mrs. MacGillicuddy
How could she?
Ginger, Mary Anne, Mrs. Howell,Samantha Stevens, Lieutentant Uhura,Judy JetsonOlive Oyl, Ethel Mertz,Edith Bunker, Marilyn Munster, Rhoda, Penny Robinson
How could she?
I thought it was really ingenious how he was able to arrange the names to rhyme. This is one of my favorite songs on the CD, great guitar work on this song and I am glad that they decided to experiment with some of the sound and layers. There is a nice touch of Sitar work via Josh Silver on the keyboard.
Life Is Killing Me- This song on here is my favorite, I seem to catch myself listining to this one a lot. It starts hard, loud and powerful with the guitar, bass and drums to lead the song. Then the keyboards were added to give this an overall gloomy and serious sound. I wish that ToN used more lead keyboards on more of their songs, it really creates a 3D layered sound that gives the song complexity. Well, regardless, this song has it and thats why it is my favorite on the CD. The song has a rather a nice fast pace for ToN but nothing like "I Like Goils" but it makes the song flow extremely well. Then it slows down at parts of the song, the keyboardist Josh Silver is allowed to shine and show some of his skill. Then the pace of the song will build back up to where it was before.
The song is really something I can connect and relate with. It is about the curruption, frustration and abuse of health care system with shady doctors and surgeons. All they seem to care about is the bottom line, your money!!! Peter Steele must of had a really hard time with doctors or something along that line.
Like a Jew in ancient Spain
And for Christ's name did pay with pain
Modern day inquisition
What is the link between these crafts?
Doctors and thieves, they both wear masks
Overpaid meat magicians
Life is killing me
Appointment made, waited three hours
Did not realize you had such power
I'd rather see a mortician
Your parents saved or had the bucks
Your education stems from luck
Future corpse - death by physician
I have no choice - devoid of rights
So pull the plug, it's my damned life
Keep me alive to increase your bill
A Red Cross hell?The hospital!
Life is killing me
This really calls into question, are you dying to live or are you living to die? At what costs is it to keep someone alive? Does the doctor have the right to keep someone living if they are dead? Basically you are paying for living when you should be left to what comes naturally. Keeping someone alive for more money? This is a rather angry dark and gloomy song that is a fantastic example of typical ToN music. This song is the true Gem of the album.
Nettie- This shows a very tender and vulnerable side of ToN and Peter Steele. This song is about his mother and how she raised him. Her days were filled with prayer and sorrow, hoping and praying for the best for her child. The song is rather chilling while reading the lyrics at the same time. All the good she does for others is her downfall. This is a sad woman who spends her days worring and praying for others while she does nothing for herself:
My shortcomings I know caused her grief
Still she loves me. This i can’t believe!
Responding not with anger but a prayer
Heaven’s just Southwest of Cobble Hill
True, I am the son of an Angel
Maternally, not one woman compares
Nettie, no need to cry
Let me wipe those teardrops from your eyes
This song starts out very slow and gothic with Peter Steele talking and thats when the music roars through. The Keyboards flow well with the guitar and the song seems to ties really well with the words. There is a lot of typical ToN Chug Chug Guitar to it until the chorus comes in with an almost angelic feel to it. The Keyboards really gives this song some depth and really sets the tone. The words really go with this song and this also happens to be another Gem in this CD. I really happen to like this song a lot.
(We Were) Electrocute - This is a song that really seems to have me thinking of a hybrid 1960's/70's song. All I can say is that this song is rather groovy. It has a nice flow to it with keyboards becoming the highlight of this song. I dont care for the trumpets in the song, it seems that they almost forced it in there. The song has a lot of "La La La La" in it, which gives it an uplifting pop feel to it. The song is about lost love and how he feels that he wasted his time with this person. The song is not bad, but it is not my favorite at all. The song does flow but more like background music. The song can be a bit contagious and you can catch yourself humming it.
IYDKMIGTHTKY (Gimme That)- This is a rather mellow tune that has a darker feel to it but without the typical guitar to it until the chorus. When the chorus starts, they guitar switches from the sweeter side and goes straight for the throat. The keyboards seems to work well in the background and really sets the whole atmosphere. Do I like this song? It is not bad at all and I really see it growing on me. It is another catchy tune that can buzz in the back of your mind. What does IYDKMIGTHTKY mean?? I know that you were going to ask, it means: If You Dont Kill Me Im Gonna Have To Kill You. Go Figure!!!
Angry Inch- Now this is an interesting song that is about a sex change gone wrong. Leave it to Peter Steele to come up with something so bizzare!! The song really reminds me of a 1980's song with a fast tempo and a great beat. The keyboard is rather apparent and so 1980ish but yet very tasteful. Not only is this song funny especially in the part where Peter is talking but this song has some really nice transitions. It will go from a pop/rock feel and then transition to the typical ToN heavy, low Chung Chung guitar. Pretty good song that is another highlight of this CD. I really love the ending, a nice twist to the song!!!
Anesthesia- This song starts rather slow and has a bit of a spooky feel to it. It is one of the slower songs on the CD and uses synth panio to give it a bit of a gothic feel to it. As usual, a dark and almost misty feel to it. The song is about the pain of love and breaking up, the damn if you do damn if you dont feeling that only love and breakups can bring. There are some very nice transitions in this song that really make it more complex. The Keyboards add a lot to this song and without them, I dont think this song would have a chance to stand on its own. Peter adds his powerful vocals towards the end of the song. It has a feel of sorrow and anger that Peter Steele can only do. Great song and it really is a nice example of the talent of the band.
Drunk In Paris - Wow, too bad this song is less than 2 minuets long. It really has a lot of potential to be a killer song in its own. I really wish they would have created this into a real song rather than an outro. It has a really interesting keyboard sound that kind of reminds me of an accordian.
Conclusion
I was really expecting a different kind of CD from ToN. The last CD was really dark and deep while it tackled some really serious and depressing issues. This CD is like a breath of fresh air from the grave!!! I see that Type O Negative has a second wind with some tunes that really blow the doors off of some of the last stuff. Not to say one is better than the other because each CD they do is so different from each other. This ends an era with Roadrunner Records. The constricting contract is now over and they are signed with SPV records. So I am really looking foward to the new release expected sometime in 2007. This is enough to keep me really happy and is a must for ToN fans. If you are new to ToN, this might not be a good example of typical ToN, I would go with Bloody Kisses or October Rust.
Rating : 9/10
posted by The Noble Savage at 9:58 AM
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