Died Pretty - Using My Gills As A Roadmap
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DIED PRETTY

Title: Using My Gills As A Roadmap
Label: Citadel (Australia)
Catalogue No: (citcd536)
Format: CD (album)
Released: 1998
Price: $ 25.00

There was a long gap between this album and its predecessor Sold. It was worth the wait with the band delivering a difficult but unique record, the likes of which other Australian acts simply could not produce. Stylistically influenced by obscure Euro dance records and Kraftwerk although it's hard to tell. Critically acclaimed, it hasn't sold in the numbers it deserves, but this is the continuing story of Died Pretty.

Track Listing: (47:14 m:s)
  1. Slide Song (B Myers / R Peno) (3:58 m:s)
  2. She Was (B Myers / R Peno) (5:35 m:s)
  3. Stay (B Myers / R Peno) (5:00 m:s)
  4. The Daddy Act (B Myers / R Peno) (6:12 m:s)
  5. Paint It Black You Devils (B Myers / R Peno) (6:23 m:s)
  6. Radio (B Myers / R Peno) (4:22 m:s)
  7. Gone (B Myers / R Peno) (6:04 m:s)
  8. Away (B Myers / R Peno) (6:02 m:s)
  9. Drive (B Myers / R Peno) (3:38 m:s)
The Musicians:
Ronald S Peno - Lead Vocals  •  Brett Myers - Guitar & Backing Vocals  •  John Hoey - Keyboards  •  Robert Warren - Bass  •  Simon Cox - Drums
Technical Details:
Produced Wayne Connolly & Died Pretty  •  Engineered by Wayne Connolly  •  Recorded at Paradise Studios, Sydney  •  Mixed at Sony Studios, Sydney
Of Interest: the press release for this album

The story of Died Pretty is a tale of endurance and self belief as much as it is the history of a band's musical development. Formed originally in 1983, their long career has encompassed constant touring and the release worldwide of seven albums. Initially a fixture in the alternative scene, they eventually progressed into the murkier waters of mainstream consciousness. Logic dictates they should have drowned in this environment. Buoyed by a simple faith in themselves, they have remained afloat.

Died Pretty are survivors. At a time when so many of their contemporaries have called it a day, the group have persevered and made a new album that seems set to be considered one of their best. Using My Gills As A Roadmap is both startling in approach and exciting in its musical depth. A release that clearly makes demands on the listener, it confronts any pre-existing notion about what sort of band they are, or where their limitations lay.

The most noticeable thing about Using My Gills is the disparate range of keyboard experimentation. From the start it is obvious that the distinctive guitar dominated sound the band has previously relied upon has been dispensed with. Slide Song, the opening track and second single, gives the first glimpse of a new Died Pretty landscape that is further developed by the songs She Was, The Daddy Act and Paint It Black You Devils. Although there is no lack of guitar, the keyboards hold sway even over the more introspective tracks such as Stay, Gone and Away.

Where the band will go from here is impossible to predict. This record is sure to be perceived as a radical departure, and hopefully, it will open up a new world of possibilities for one of Australia's most creative groups. Be assured that whatever happens, the band have a positive future and are intent on making relevant records that are uniquely theirs and compliment their already substantial body of recorded work.

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