What turned out to be the final Died Pretty album, at least as far as can be determined, was something of an odd affair, at once a stab at more mainstream tastes and a refinement of the group's own approach. The lineup went through a slight change -- Robert Warren replaced Clark on bass -- but otherwise it was the same band and the same producer, Hugh Jones, recording once again in Australia. There's plenty to love about Trace, but it is in parts a brighter, slightly lighter album -- but who's to knock the band for that particular approach? "Harness Up (Soul's on Fire)," which an earlier version of the group might have really torn through, gets an easy pace and swing here, sounding just right as it goes, Peno and Myers once again at the core of it all. The most radical track is "110 B.P.M." -- as the title indicates, it's actually a stab at dance groove, if not necessarily moving at said speed. Successful? More than might be thought -- while it's clearly a dipping of toes into a genre the band had never otherwise been associated with, it's a dark, smoky track with snarling work from Myers and aggro vocals (and lyrics!) from Peno. All this said, there are some things that are forever Died Pretty, and the lead single from the album, "Caressing Swine," is a great example, with a low, rumbling rhythm, some quick, slashing guitar from Myers, and an air of general intensity building up to a fine chorus. The strong rave-ups of the past aren't as prominent here, continuing the pattern of Doughboy Hollow, but the overall sense of passion hasn't changed a bit. Myers takes a fine vocal bow on "Til We Get It Right," while the frazzled drama of "The Rivers" is a deserved standout, and the beautiful "Seize Your Ways" concludes the album. On balance, a fine way to end.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo