Remember Gary Dranow? The former clothing line entrepreneur, motocross champion, etc., who, through it all, stuck with his very first and always pervasive love, that being music? Well, this musician-at-heart and talented business mogul returns with his latest track, “Lie to Me.” And, as varied as his successful endeavors, “Lie to Me” is an adroitly handled genre switch-up showcasing his group’s writing/playing ability, and more importantly, adaptability. Ready to dig into Dranow’s latest drop? Let’s talk about it.
What we’re digging….
“Lie to Me” isn’t an acoustic, rootsy, pleasant-breeze-through-green-pastures rock song à la “Never Give Up” – “Lie to Me” is 20% acoustic/contemplative, and an 80% melange of…uh…System of a Down, Tool, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And yep, you read that right.
It begins with a foreboding piano and smooth, space-filling acoustic. So, it seems peaceful enough…until the drums, until a moog-ish growl, and until the chugging guitar opens, clashes with fuzzy, gravely chords, and asserts itself. And until the vocalist, once reserved, now attacks each lyric at full, screaming throttle.
The song is like a lumbering march with emotional aggression turned promptly to 11. But one might think this song cliched with occasionally used modern metal motifs. It isn’t. The chords chosen and quick changes between grinding, dark guitar and the initial acoustic calm make this a familiar but unique affair; a formerly undiscovered method reshaping, slightly but safely, this particular brand of rather emotive metal.
And when the end comes, it comes with an extended, screamed/sung note, and a last wave of that pulsing, gravely guitar.
But is it good?
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions can do it all, and do it all EXTREMELY well. From country, to blues-based rock, to metal, Dranow and the Manic Emotions can make the leap, and absolutely stick the landing. If you’re looking for more modern metal but keep returning to the usual genre staples that don’t deliver that same kick, give Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions’ “Lie to Me” a try. You’ll remember why this musical blend is forever popular, and question why it wasn’t this good to begin with.
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BELOW: Listen to Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions and check them out on Bandcamp. Please support Gary Dranow by visiting him online and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
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