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Milton and
the Devils Party: What Is All This Sweet Work Worth?
What Is All This Sweet Work Worth? is the first full album produced by Milton and The Devils Party. And yes, the reference to Milton is intentional. The Philadelphia quartet boasts a membership of two English professors and a couple of seemingly regular guys. As one would expect from a band with these credentials, each and every track is dominated by lyrics centered upon literary themes and bitter sarcasm. The lyrical topics of the bands repertoire include relationships, women, and (of course) Book X of Paradise Lost. From beginning to end, this album overflows with high energy rockin pop. Wild electric guitar solos and heavy drums create a backdrop for their nasal lead singer, Daniel Robinson. Overall, the melodies are simple and catchy, but its the lyrics that will grab your attention. The bands dark and narcissistic wit is the domineering theme resurfacing time and time again. Opening on End of the Affair, Milton and the Devils party hits you with a bitter look at an ending relationship. The piece explodes with intensely uplifting electric guitars and a steadfast beat. This all provides a framework for the songs its not me, its you message. But once youve heard this first track, youve essentially heard the whole album. The musical style and the egocentric lyrical themes repeat in almost every track. The band does occasionally attempt to work with potentially interesting rhythm changes in their songs, but the compositions repeatedly prove to be awkward and unpredictable. The result is a disruptive drain on the originally simple style of the music. Theodicy Club is an example of this. The song begins on a repetitive and interesting guitar melody, but at a midpoint, it heads in an inexplicable direction; and, as with many of the tracks, the melody is lost behind the strained style of Robinsons vocals. My biggest reaction to this album is that listening to What Is All This Sweet Work Worth?, allows me to understand what it means to feel Paradise Lost.
This album can be purchased at CD Baby Milton and the Devils Party Official Website About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
