Review
The Letters Organize
Dead Rhythm Machine

Nitro (2005) Shane

The Letters Organize – Dead Rhythm Machine cover artwork
The Letters Organize – Dead Rhythm Machine — Nitro, 2005

Right off the bat, you know what it's going to be. They're not the first and they definitely won't be the last. And no, they aren't Minor Threat. They are The Letters Organize, just one of the many The Shape of Punk to Come copy cats to come around long after the album did. Their new record is called Dead Rhythm Machine and was just recently released by Nitro Records.

To tell you the truth, I don't want to review this. I had the displeasure of seeing these guys the other night and it was one of the most contrived and boring shows I'd ever seen. They have a singer who is more concerned with being "sassy" than singing or staying on key, and a light show that looked ridiculous and was blatantly stolen from Scarlet, who is just as bad. It was, honestly, just what I expected. So reading this review, you'll be about as bored as I was watching them the other night and as bored as I am while listening to this.

I've made it to track five so far while writing this and a song finally stands out a bit from the others, at least during the intro, before going into the same old spastic drivel. I don't know if they are trying to cop some Blood Brothers "style" with the dual sung/screamed vocals or what, but it's getting on my nerves quite a bit. Oh and now they are using the "megaphone effect" on his vocals as if he is calling out for some sort of "revolution" that these guys are going to bring. Oh boy. To top it off, that song was called "They Call It Rock n' Roll (and Other Lies)." Christ.

I don't feel like listening to this much anymore so I am going to skip through and see what the beginning of each song sounds like. That went over well. The beginnings of the first and last song are almost a carbon copy of each other. I think that further proves my point in this review.

Here is the point: I'm sick. I'm tired. When will bands realize that this shit is just not good. The music follows the same formula for every song, they only stray away for maybe a couple measures per 4 songs, and the whole attitude needs to go out the window. If I hear one more of these bands tell me to "Get sexy," or something to that effect, I am going to start coming to shows armed. So please, for your sake, just stop.

1.5 / 10Shane • April 10, 2005

The Letters Organize – Dead Rhythm Machine cover artwork
The Letters Organize – Dead Rhythm Machine — Nitro, 2005

Related news

The Letters Organize Announce Final Show

Posted in Shows on July 28, 2009

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Detention

Dead Rock ‘N’ Rollers
Left For Dead Records (2024)

Life ain’t so easy in the detention home- Dead Boys. Emerging from the underbelly of Jersey, made up primarily of three brethren. Raised on rock and roll and sipping from the chalice of early punk rock stalwarts like Da Bruddahs from Queens, Hey Ho! and the Pistoleros of Sexual Nature screaming banshees from across from the large pond. Thus forging … Read more

Nightfreak

Nightfreak
Big Neck Records (2024)

Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme. Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious … Read more

Death By Unga Bunga

Raw Muscle Power
Jansen Records (2025)

I’m pretty sure I became aware of Mike Krol when The Whiffs posted about playing some shows with him. Krol is a bit of an anomaly. Not only is he on Merge and collaborates with Mac Superchunk- a dream scenario imo- but he’s also been elusive of my fan boy attempts at cold dm’ing him about stuff even tho we … Read more