OPTION PARALYSIS

Starting off with a disclaimer for the uninitiated reader, we have to say that no Dillinger Esc Plan album fits the category of "bad" and the authority of a band with a stellar catalogue, a contemporary act that has maintained a persistent quality throughout its entire career remains completely. And with this aspect cleared out, 'Option Paralysis' remains the band's least interesting release - it is more accessible and more predictable than any preceding TDEP album and the few really invigorating moments here are foreshadowed by the vast use of re-hashed ideas that "plague" parts of this album, with Ben Weinman and Co. utilizing tropes that have been seen before and do not fit the progressive musical identity of this band. Largely susceptible to a commercialization of the sound as well as a more prevalent alt-rock direction, this album remains a good offering by modern standards but somewhat of a let-down by Dillinger standards.

The album kicks off on a high note, with the very promising single 'Farewell, Mona Lisa'; this is an energetic, vibrant track that combines the heavy tendencies of earlier efforts and the gloomy art rock approach of 'Ire Works' and 'Miss Machine'. 'Good Neighbor' is one of the shorter, more explosive pieces on here, while 'Gold Teeth on a Bum' manages to induce a radio-friendly chorus into the otherwise dense fabric of the rest of the song. Some shorter tracks follow, reminiscent of past works but never reaching as far, followed by the great 'Widower', a longer and more experimental song with an eerie vibe, once again attempting to take the album in a different direction. The next few tracks are once again way too familiar to be overly exciting, even if certain riffs or vocal melodies sound tremendously good, like the more accessible 'Chinese Whispers' or the spacey 'Parasitic Twins'. The entire album juggles back and forth between wanting to be painstakingly heavy or incrementally "radio-friendly", leaving somewhat of a blurry impression and a sense of incompleteness, meaning that a better balance between these elements has been achieved previously by this band. Still, 'Option Paralysis' remains a fine listen full of engaging moments, memorable hooks and aggressive riffs.

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