The Alarmist

Every year I watch the Grammy show and say to my wife, "I wonder if Dear Leader will win this year." It's a joke, of course, and pretty lame, just like a lot of popular music. We should be grateful, I suppose that the glitterati pay some attention to Foo Fighters and Springsteen, but until people start to recognize bands like Dear Leader, popular music will remain apropos of very little. This is great stuff--more than just the laudable efforts of another unknown indie band. When you hear it, you'll know I'm right.

I just saw Dear Leader live for the fifth time in a little over a year a few days ago. Why do I make the trek down from NH to Boston every time they play? Listening to the Alarmist will give you an idea. The sound is more raw than previous albums for good reason. It seems to try to encaspulate the sheer ferocity of their performances. Another reviewer points out how certain songs can be overwhelming when played live, and I can't get over how spot-on that is. I felt just that way when they closed the show with Labor On. Do yourself a favor and discover these guys.

whenever i listen to Dear Leader, i want to stand on a table and triumphantly pump my fists in the air. even the ballads tear through you. the comparison in another review to a charged-up early U2 is a good description of what to expect. an amazing live band as well.

Being from Boston, I was a big Sheila Devine fan and attended their intense concerts at the local clubs. When they broke up and singer/guitarist Aaron Perino formed Dear Leader, he truly hit a creative high. The current administration in the White House and the war in Iraq has hit a nerve with Perino and his lyrics and vocal delivery show his distain. With a wall of guitars, drums, and bass that sound like early U2 on steriods, such tracks as "Nightmare Alleys" and "Monumnets and Shrines" could be almost overwhemling when played live. However, even Dear Leader is aware that such intensity needs to ebb to a tender song time to time, most apparent in "Lead the Way" which conjures up the intimate, stripped down vocals of Johnny Cash. Another standout ballad is the story of "Father Baker". With each album, Dear Leader get progressively better. The Alarmist is a gem that is choc-full of honest, well-crafted rock music that I hope gets attention outside of New England.

With out a doubt one of the the greatest artists to fly under the radar in the last 20 years. If you're a fan of good alt. music you need to give this a shot. This album shows depth, character and heart.