Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Underoath, Ø (Disambiguation)
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Underoath
Ø (Disambiguation)



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 38 minutes, 23 seconds
Street Date: November 9, 2010


Any real fan of Tampa, Florida's Underoath has been burning up in anticipation for their fifth full-length album, Ø (Disambiguation); and now after a blistering wait period, you can finally tear it apart with your own personal slew of criticism. Naturally, the "best album ever" people and the "terrible new direction" people will clash on the forums, but one thing is for certain: Ø (Disambiguation) has a much more distinct flavor than any previous album. The short time between writing the album and final polishing is indicative of some level of comfort that was previously over their heads.

Though every subsequent album that Underoath has released varies in execution, many agree that they hit their high point with 2006's Define the Great Line. Lost in the Sound of Separation in 2008 however, seemed to be dragging just a little bit. Now it is as if a new passion and energy for the music has liberated them from stagnation. Let's see, what's changed since then?

Could it be that former drummer/clean vocalist Aaron Gillespie was holding the band back? Nothing is certain, but the facts hint. The disembodied drum sticks have been taken up by Norma Jean veteran Daniel Davison, who is also a long time friend of the band. Is he the oil to grease Underoath's gears again? Well, the unfettered pursuit of sound speaks for itself.

Ø (Disambiguation) jumps down out of nowhere at the beginning of the album. "In Division" pulls no punches. In a swift move, they display exactly what we're dealing with in the very first track. A gritty fusillade of grunting guitars and dark harmonies to match deliver Spencer Chamberlain's wide vocal range on a silver platter. For the first time ever, we get to experience the entire arsenal that Chamberlain has to offer. It's not just the deafening highs and lows we already love, but eerie, purposeful singing as well. It's a dignified mess; raw and honest. It's dark and dreary, but with excitement mixed in without the two canceling each other out.

A groovy bass line introduces "Catch Myself Catching Myself" and then plunges headlong into complete chaos. There's so much going on at once that it sounds like there are about six or seven guitars splaying out in quick succession. The experience is like a musical warzone. The quiet ensnares your attention just as well as the loud, and before you know it, the warzone is back with just enough intensity to bring you to tears. "Paper Lung" takes a step back with simpler force, like the soundtrack to distant carnage.

Davison clearly brings more than his oddball drumming to the mix. He's a brilliant menace, but carries a vibe that transferred over from his Norma Jean stint. It wouldn't be a far stretch to compare Ø (Disambiguation) to Norma Jean's recent full-length, Meridional. Apparently old NJ drummer plus Underoath equals new NJ. Chris Dudley's electronic maintenance to the music retains the Underoath in it, however. "Driftwood" carries you off into a strange sound mesh that melts the music away until only ambience and Davison's off time beat remains. The long interlude drifts off and then is trampled by "A Divine Eradication," aptly named. This track reassembles some violence and remembers Underoath at its finest.

"Who Will Guard the Guardians" starts off groovy, but turns very melodic and very intense. It utilizes repetition to force certain lines into your brain, "Only God can lead us down this barren land, and wake us up. We are the lost, and we are the abandoned." "Reversal" takes some digesting at first. It's merely a short patchwork of awkward noises and ambience, but hits the ground running again with "Vacant Mouth."

It's hard to call Ø (Disambiguation) an experimental album when no Underoath sound has ever stayed put. Nevertheless, this would be a safe place to move forward from in the major pivot point that Underoath is experiencing. Not only has the drumming and subsequent influence changed with Gillespie's departure, but the lyrics have also changed. Alongside the music, they have become darker, "I can't seem to find the light. Inside this empty room, I seem to lose myself." As the title of the album suggests, the album is drawing attention to the fact that Underoath never stays in one place and hints that the album is about nothing in particular. This leaves them to simply drift. This in itself seems to be a large theme, however.

Ø (Disambiguation) heralds the biggest shift in sound for the band in a long time, and perhaps begins a new regime as well. Regardless, every aspect is top notch. The chaos is instigated by professionals and controlled for your enjoyment. Chamberlain's full vocal range is a surprise, since he has rarely, if ever, contributed such beautiful and haunting calls. On top of it, his screams and yells have reached a new pinnacle, swinging freely high and low. Davison's drumming doesn't vary too much from Gillespie's, but he certainly brings more than drums to the table in musical influence. McTague, Brandell, and Smith intertwined their guitar work masterfully to both confuse and captivate. And of course, Dudley's keyboards and synth are the cherry on top, steeping every note in one more layer that makes them Underoath's. Not since Define the Great Line has Underoath sounded so honest. Ø (Disambiguation) delivers in every area that counts: improvement, teamwork, professionalism and entertainment.

- PReview date: 10/4/10, Review date: 11/7/10, written by Wayne Reimer of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



Underoath releases their highly anticipated album, Ø (Disambiguation), after the shocking departure of founding member/drummer, Aaron Gillespie. Fans were left wondering where the band will go and what sound they have in store for listeners. Here is a hint... Former Norma Jean drummer, Daniel Davison, is Gillespie's replacement. The title of the record is a touch ironic, as it seems the album is the band's most "ambiguous" release to date. Let's just say that Gillespie will be missed.

Ø (Disambiguation) is a mixed bag; it jumps around from a more standard Underoath sound, to a Deftones type sound, to heavy ambience, and straight up Norma Jean. In fact, several times throughout the album you might think you are listening to an older Norma Jean record. Without Gillespie in the songwriting process, the "new" Underoath has branched out a bit. The opening track, "In Division," is one of the few standout tracks and gets the album going in a positive direction with great energy. The song is a solid mix of both harder and softer guitars and a nice blend of screamed and clean vocals. The influence of Davison begins ever so slightly in "Catch Myself Catching Myself," and builds from there. The track does feature a solid chorus that will have you singing along to the slowed, clean vocal section. The final track that really stands out is "My Deteriorating Incline." The song features a Norma Jean-esque transition from the previous track and has a rocking piece about a minute into the song. You'll start feeling the groove as the lyrics, "I am the anchor" begin. The piece runs through the 2:21 mark and then repeats shortly after.

Ø is a pretty hard album to rate. It is solid overall, but not really what you are used to hearing from Underoath. The album easily falls short of the band's previous two releases, Define the Great Line and Lost in the Sound of Separation. Not one track on Ø touches songs like "You're Ever So Inviting" or "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures." If you like Norma Jean, but never really got into Underoath, don't pass this one up. If you are a longtime fan not sure what the future holds, give it a chance, you just might like it. Whatever your thoughts may be going in, don't expect something to the quality of Define the Great Line. Maybe it's a false assumption, but I just don't see Underoath ever really being Underoath without Aaron Gillespie. - Michael Weaver, 11/5/10

 

. Record Label: Solid State Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 38 minutes, 23 seconds
. Street Date: November 9, 2010
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: iTunes (Deluxe Edition)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Deluxe Edition)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. In Division (3:58)
  2. Catch Myself Catching Myself (3:29)
  3. Paper Lung (4:11)
  4. Illuminator (3:08)
  5. Driftwood (3:00)
  6. A Divine Eradication (3:16)
  7. Who Will Guard The Guardians (3:52)
  8. Reversal (1:43)
  9. Vacant Mouth (3:53)
  10. My Deteriorating Incline (3:33)
  11. In Completion (4:20)

    Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:
  12. Paper Lung (machineA Remix) (3:44)
  13. In Division (Toxic Avenger Remix) (3:31)
  14. Catch Myself Catching Myself
    (Innerpartysystem Remix) (4:26)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images