"Known for their infectiously heartbreaking lyricism and unstoppable keyboard-laden hooks, Or Give Me Death offers up just the right dose of that plus much more. The album is opened up with the sonically textured “Lying in the Bed I’ve Made,” a beautifully orchestrated track, the kind Terry is known for creating. The most eccentric track follows as “Living A Lie” sings “It’s not living a lie / If you’re not living at all / You’re setting me up / And I’m taking the fall.” It seems with David Terry the possibilities within his imaginative mind are endless as he rolls out track after track of courageous pop music. Further down the track list songs like “As You Wish” and “You’ll Get Yours” offer up characteristics of a modern pop fellowship of sorts.
The smooth melodies and 80’s good vibes are only a secondary spread as David Terry’s razor-sharp lyrics bite down like teeth through flesh. As the album glows with glee, Aqueduct’s dialed in hums and whines are an unabashed take on experimental music and with so many people taking a shot at this residual trend it’s not easy to reveal something so capable. Everything plays out symphonic - like with Or Give Me Death, a real serendipitous realization.
It’s clear that David Terry has reached a new level of maturity in his music and with Or Give Me Death. Terry has proclaimed himself a contender in the department of lo-fi music. Though it’s built from purring synthesizers, sing-along melodies, and joyous yet punchy horns there is a lot more to take in from Aqueduct’s Or Give Me Death - listeners aren’t given a simple listen with this delivery." (Decoy)
"Wounded, sad, hopeful and funny all at the same time, Or Give Me Death is a marvel of pop architecture. FOUR STARS" (Goldmine)
"What do you get when you mix the atmospheric feel of The Alan Parsons Project and Sgt. Pepper's-era Beatles with lyrics of loss and lament? You get one of the best albums of the New Year. Or Give Me Death, the latest release from Seattle's Aqueduct is a triumph of piano driven music that is emotional without falling into the overdone, over-hyped abyss that emo has become." (Hybrid)
More press on OR GIVE ME DEATH • Back to top
|