Dust of Days - Analog Mind Bender (2017)

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Written by Robert Michaels, posted by blog admin

This is a refreshing turn. Dust of Days, a New Jersey based four piece band, is labeled as alternative rock and it isn’t entirely wrong to deem them as such. They are so much more, however. There are a number of cuts on their second full length release, Analog Mind Bender, that readily defy easy categorization or else extend their stylistic reach across multiple borders. Their ability to maintain a core sound while expanding on it in a coherent way is something miraculous in a rock world full of one trick ponies and flavors of the moment. The band, via songwriter Frank Lettieri Jr., are recording the sort of songs that are built to last rather than sonic confections designed to capture the Zeitgeist of a particular moment. The production employed on this collection is designed to underline these aspirations and renders the band’s instrumental attack with visceral, intimate intensity. This is rock, revamped, refurbished, and reclaimed.

It starts off with a bright step on the album’s title track. “Analog Mind Bender”, as a title, implies that the song might be a little trippy, but it’s a relatively straight forward melodic rocker that lands with an impact but also ranks as one of the most accessible tunes on the release. Much of the remaining material is far more challenging – both musically and lyrically. One of the album’s hardest excursions into rock/metal comes with the second song “Aurora”. The thrashing guitars and powerful rhythm section attack are far more extreme than anything we heard in the first song and the band sounds quite credible manifesting this sort of attack. “Mustang” signals the album’s first big shift in direction as they pare back the guitar theatrics in favor of a more artfully employed six string approach. It’s compositional in nature, letting notes and passages accumulate for a final effect rather than showing the listener all of your cards at once or else attempting to bludgeon them into submission. “Heavy” is a rough and tumble tune with attitude to burn and the churning guitars of Mike Virok and Jim McGee team up here for memorably powerful effect. Lettieri’s drumming here sets a tone that’s difficult to forget.

His ability to play to the song and not be heavy handed is evidenced on the earlier “Mustang” and “My Dear” as well. It’s truly a treat to hear how he’s able to help orchestrate the song’s high points for maximum effect and his vocal is equally up to the challenge as well. His ability to emote is just as strong as the ferocious roar he’s able to summon up with his voice and the lyrical material is among the strongest on Analog Mind Bender. “Death Vibrations” is another fine lyrical effort, albeit rather dark, and Lettieri gives an uncompromising vocal that doubles down on its demeanor. This is an impressive effort from first song to last and it’s clear the band went into the studio ready to record rather than meandering around with potential creative dead ends. The fully realized feel of this release is impossible to escape – Dust of Days’ Analog Mind Bender will definitely push this band to among the vanguard of talented modern rock acts.