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As implied by their name, Dead Leaf Echo captures a dark melancholy sound, mixed with sweeping ethereal guitar, relentless down beats, and broken U2 style vocals to create the very unique mixture evident on "Faint Violent Whiff."

With their five-song EP, Dead Leaf Echo as struck a chord in the underground indie music scene.  Their debut has influences from both the world of music and of literature.  Though they draw from influences such as U2, Sonic Youth and The Bunnymen, it's famed Russian author Nabakov who is an even bigger piece of the puzzle this band has created. 

I use the term 'puzzle,' because that is exactly what this album is.  It takes a while before you can finally put everything together.  It's only after repeated plays that the listener can really begin to appreciate what Dead Leaf Echo has accomplished here.  From the start this is not the easiest CD to listen to, but after a bit the eerie qualities take hold and never let go."Faint Violent Whiff" is a concept album for the fledgling group.  The melodic instrumentation shrouds deep views and ideas of life and humanity.  The songs play on dramatic themes from youthful lust to intoxicating power to crippling hatred.  My favorite track by far is “Clean.”  The booming bass-and-drum intro provides an excellent background for the breathy vocals. To put it mildly, this album is otherworldly.  Songs ebb and flow like the tides. They are musical apparitions that speakers barely restrain.  LG, the founder of Dead Leaf Echo, sings in an apparent effort to mimic the talents of U2's Bono, while creating ghostly guitar riffs.  MD provides the pounding bass while Liza plays piano and Donovan adds to the mix with drums and percussion.  Dead Leaf Echo has given us more than just haunting music. 

This album burrows into your consciousness and proceeds to implant dark, mysterious thoughts.  Each listen brings out another mood, another thought, another feeling. It’s simply a beautiful album.  For those of you who miss cold pop rock with a little added 80s/90s flare, check them out.  Meanwhile, I will eagerly await the next release from Dead Leaf Echo!