This Is the Warning
Dead Letter Circus · 2010
85 min · 21 tracks · progressive rock
Dynamic melodies intertwine with intricate rhythms, showcasing a refreshing take on progressive rock through atmospheric soundscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Big — This track exemplifies Dead Letter Circus's ability to blend melodic hooks with complex time signatures, making it a standout introduction to their sound.
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Here We Divide — Opening the album, this track sets an energetic tone with its engaging rhythms and introspective lyrics, encapsulating the band's thematic focus.
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Cage — With its haunting atmosphere and emotive vocal delivery, this song showcases the band's lyrical depth while maintaining musical intensity.
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The Design — This track features intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts that highlight the band's technical prowess and emotional storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate rhythms and dynamic melodies but lacks a fully cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that build gradually in intensity, while the second half introduces more dynamic shifts and complex arrangements.
- Several tracks incorporate polyrhythmic drumming patterns that create a layered texture, particularly evident in 'Cage' and 'The Design'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic melodies with intricate rhythms
- long, immersive listening experience
- cathartic moments of sonic release
- shifting tempos and emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer concise, straightforward tracks
- seek instant gratification from songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- This Is the Warning is Dead Letter Circus's debut studio album, released in January 2010. At this point, the band had already gained attention from their earlier EPs and was eager to establish themselves in the progressive rock scene. This album marked a significant step in their career, solidifying their unique sound and expanding their audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Butterfly Effect· Tesseract· Periphery
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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This Is the Warning
The bridge introduces a moment of quiet before an explosive return, emphasizing themes of urgency and reflection within the lyrics.
This structural shift heightens tension, creating a cathartic release that mirrors the song's overarching message about confronting challenges.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Here We Divide 5:07
- 2 One Step 3:28
- 3 Big 3:41
- 4 The Space on the Wall 3:57
- 5 This Long Hour 4:27
- 6 Cage 4:44
- 7 Reaction 3:45
- 8 The Drum 6:15
- 9 The Design 5:45
- 10 Next in Line 3:23
- 11 Walk 4:10
- 12 This Is the Warning 4:46
- 13 Tremors 3:37
- 14 The Mile 3:24
- 15 Disconnect and Apply 3:04
- 16 Lines 3:41
Disc 2
- 1 Big 3:46
- 2 Cage 4:27
- 3 One Step 3:33
- 4 Reaction 3:47
- 5 Disconnect and Apply 3:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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