Album Review: The Dillinger Escape Plan - 'Option Paralysis'

I don’t hesitate in saying that there haven’t been any major stylistic changes, or improvements, on this new release. In some ways, it’s almost a return to the shouty, convulsive post-hardcore elements featured on their debut album ‘Calculating Infinity’.
However, the band do begin abandoning some of the electronic elements found on later albums, but still retaining small quantities of melodic vocals.
Greg’s vocals have improved in a way that I can’t really begin to explain it, so I’ll let this quote give it a go:
“Vocalist Greg Puciato has developed into quite the crooner, and even his shouting recalls Guy Picciotto more than Cookie Monster, when he's not borrowing Mike Patton's sneer.”

The single, and first track, is a picture perfect representation of what to expect (and not expect) on the band's new release. The perfect example of this is the track, ‘Widower’ which holds the element of surprise on this album- a 6-something minute long piano driven ballad that is incredibly beautiful, even more so as the drummer starts slowly building to an inevitable hardcore outburst towards the 4-minute mark.

For the most aggressive of Dillinger fans, ‘Endless Ending’" and ‘Room Full of Eyes’ will fit them nicely. Ironically, however, both songs are placed around the ballad featured.
My main criticism however, is mainly that this album seems to be made up of cool parts and small gimmicks, instead of songs that are able to stand out on their own two feet.
But for Dillinger fans, that alienating intricacy is a bug, not a feature, and the fact that it can be almost impossible to remember how any given song on this album begins when it's over should be taken as a testament to the bands ability to perform these musical stunts.

The album closer, ‘I Wouldn’t If You Didn’t’ showcases where the band has been and where they are now. Their musical influences and idols are clearly evident in this perfectly constructed track – mainly reminiscent of Patton or Reznor.

This album is a good step forward for Dillinger. They’ve managed to come up with what might possibly be one of their best releases to date.

It’s polished, well-crafted and perfectly constructed. I would say, they are definitely about to reach their peak.

1. "Farewell, Mona Lisa" − 5:23

2. "Good Neighbor" − 2:30

3. "Gold Teeth on a Bum" − 5:22

4. "Crystal Morning" − 2:02

5. "Endless Endings" − 2:32

6. "Widower" − 6:23

7. "Room Full of Eyes" − 4:15

8. "Chinese Whispers" − 4:06

9. "I Wouldn't If You Didn't" − 4:14

10. "Parasitic Twins" − 4:41