Title: “Dead On Arrival”
Artist: Riot! in the Boulevard
Album: “Young Cardinals” (2018)
Release Date: July 17, 2018
Length: 4:29
Format: CD Single, Digital Download, Weekly Airplay, 7” Single
Recorded: March 2018 - Village Studios - Los Angeles, California, USA
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Studio60 Records
Written: January 2018
Writer(s): Adam Benjamin, Amy Meyer, Jason Greenberg
Producer(s): Riot! in the Boulevard, Cara Zayn, Christian Fallon
“Dead On Arrival” is a track written and recorded by American alternative rock trio 'Riot! In the Boulevard' as part of their sixth studio album 'Young Cardinals', set to be released before the end of 2018. With this latest release, 'Dead On Arrival' becomes the bands seventh single taken from the upcoming album in a move unprecedented by the popular music act. It's reported that the band have decided to opt for a new tact this time around and they feel that releasing so many songs from the album prior to it's release will give each individual song it's merits before merging them together to see a bigger picture. Although we're seven months into the year, a release date for the record still has not been agreed upon and it's been reported that the album isn't yet 100% completed, making it the longest recording sessions taken by the band in order to finish an album. This is a huge change from the band that used to be prolifically productive.
In recent interviews, lead singer Amy Meyer indicated a possible reason for this, “I think between the three of us, there's this awareness that this could possibly be our last album together and I think we're just dragging out the process because it's so difficult accept that finality. Of course we've not sat down together and had that discussion, but I think we all feel that this is the time for a true extended hiatus at the very least and that we'll put out this record, tour it and move away from the juggernaut and focus on other aspects. It's tough, it's been tough and letting go just isn't so easy to do. But we don't want to put out sub-par stuff and just stagnate. I think the vibe is that we're giving this album our very all in anticipation that this is our last one.”
“Dead On Arrival” was written in January 2018 by the trio of Amy Meyer, Adam Benjamin and Jason Greenberg and later recorded in March at Village Studios in Los Angeles, California with production from Cara Zayn and Christian Fallon. With the track being released in a variety of different formats on July 17, 2018 through Studio60 Records.
SONG REVIEW;It's hard to believe that we're eight years deep into the music career of Riot! In the Boulevard and yet here we are listening to another brand new track from the three upstarts from Las Vegas. You'd think that resting on their laurels would be a viable option, how often have we seen promising young bands begin to tread water after the third album but Riot! Are currently in the middle of their sixth record and they continue to just add more layers to their back catalogue with every release. I think they've proven themselves to be capable of hitting all of the notes over the years, they marvel with an emotionally charged rock ballad and they feel triumphant when they're a little pissed-off. They can write an upbeat song too but with their latest album, it feels like they're truly coming of age. They're melancholic and reflective, often fun and certainly never boring and with the release of 'Dead On Arrival', we're given more of that.
Soaring guitar riffs and a keyboard backdrop are set off perfectly with a thunderous drum beat, this is the band delving into the power and majesty of their rock roots. Moving away slightly from the frenetic pace of pop-punk and not slow enough to be considered a ballad, it feels like this latest offering sees the band focussing more on a powerful modern rock sound, it's somewhere between the power of In Your Honor era Foo Fighters and the rawness of The Killers “Sam's Town'. With peaks and valleys in terms of vocal delivery, Amy Meyer shows off her powerful range during the chorus and seamlessly switches to slow and melodic during the verses. It's a little different from the group but still feels massively like a Riot! In the Boulevard song. Another fine effort.
LYRICS;“I'm jaded of this person I'm meant to be
Inside I'm feeling numb but I've learnt to keep my brave face on
And I sometimes wish you didn't expect so much of me
Maybe you should try walking a mile in my shoes
Perhaps you'll realize that this strong exterior has been known to bruise
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
It's hard to explain the things I can't understand
I just feel so trapped, I just can't breathe
I know you think you're helping when you take hold of my hand
But I'm trying my best to explain
But you just can't see
This is not the person I thought I'd become
I feel so numb
Knowing this is not truly me
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
If I could take back the last three years
I would with all my heart
If I could go back to when we started falling apart
Believe me when I say that I would
I know in the end I seemed cold to you
But that love was always beneath the surface
It was true on the inside
I was just searching for my purpose
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival
I feel like I've become dead on arrival
For so many years my mode has been survival”
PERSONNEL;Amy Meyer – lead vocals, organ, lyrics, composition, production
Adam Benjamin – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lyrics, composition, production
Jason Greenberg – bass guitar, lyrics, composition, production
Billie Langdon – drums, percussion
Cara Zayn – production, mixing, engineering
Christian Fallon – production, mixing
SOUNDALIKE;Imagine Dragons - “Radioactive”
