The Deadly Syndrome
The Ortolan
Dim Mak Records
2007
The Ortolan is a small European bird. In France, there was a tradition (just recently banned) of eating them in an almost unspeakably fucked-up way: The bird was caught in the wild, caged and force-fed until it was morbidly obese. When it was time to eat it, it was drowned alive in Armagnac (a type of brandy), put in the oven very briefly, and then brought to the table. Once there, a napkin was draped over the head of the person eating it. Then they pop the bird in their mouth, feathers, beak and all, and eat it whole.
A pretty brutal title for something that is quite the opposite.
The Silverlake-based Deadly Syndrome have developed a bit of a reputation here in town for raucous live shows, although having only just discovered the band I can only tell you about that second-hand. What I can tell you about them is that I really like their first album.
This is undeniably an indie band, so don’t expect anything genre-defying or experimental here. But while they’re not exploring new territory, they are deftly navigating these familiar waters. Plaintive, emotional but always playful, their sound is mostly light despite the darkness of the lyrics. Speaking of which, they’re complex and oftentimes confusing, but the imagery in the songs is certainly interesting… “You’re standing here on bloody knees where once were eucalyptus trees.”
The Arcade Fire comparisons are easy to make, although where AF goes for the mournful heaviness in sound, The Deadly Syndrome keep things light - bells and a simple guitar melody while singing about being devoured by wolves in the flower garden.
Overall the album has an airiness that is both familiar and pleasant. It makes for good driving around music, or even getting things done - perhaps it serves as a reminder not to take things too seriously?
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