They wish they had a band like The Faint. Saddle Creek mainstays, The Faint, had begun dabbling with synths on Media, long before Blank-Wave Arcade & Danse Macabre. However, where Media was angsty-indie-rock that was more miss than hit, and Blank-Wave Arcade was too synthy, squelchy and sexual, Danse Macabre finds its balance. This album is like a new-wave, hard rock, dance, post-punk, Cure meets Depeche Mode in a steel-cage kinda thing. I don't think there are really any "weak" tracks, although some are stronger than others. My favorites are: Agenda Suicide, Let the Poison Spill..., The Conductor, and Ballad of a Paralysed Citizen. Good times.

I can't name a band I'm comfortable putting above The Faint in terms of sheer pleasure derived, but in terms of talent, I'm similarly hard-pressed. I believe that there is nothing like this particular album. As much as you will hear "The Faint are 80's wannabes," I think that is an extremely superficial observation. It is not entirely wrong. It is what I thought at first, and it is actually what turned me on to them. It is simply that one gets over that within the first 3 or 4 listens. The people who dismiss them for their 80's imitating have made no attempt to delve into their music. I find it's very easy to dismiss anything without trying to get a feel for it. As I've listened through Danse Macabre an infinite number of times, I now cannot hear the Duran Duran, Cure, Depeche Mode. I love Depeche Mode in their own rite and do feel that they are the biggest influence on The Faint, but by no means do I dwell on their musical likeness when listening to these guys. They are their own entity with lyrics that rival the best storytellers and a "dancebility" more powerful than anything I've ever heard in a club. Listening to The Faint sing incessantly with fervor and style about death and sex throughout this album brings me to laughter. However, their music is far too intense and all-encompassing of my emotions to allow a chuckle during a song. The transitions are too perfectly conceived to get a chance in between songs. And So, I must wait until I've finished listening entirely through the album, for what is most likely the fourth time on repeat, before I can enjoy their unique sense of humor that suits me so well. Every single song is one to turn up extremely loud and go crazy with. It is satisfying to listen to The Faint with a friend, but for obvious reasons, I feel it is more fun to listen on your own...unless you've got liquour (which I don't advocate...it would just make the side-effects of Faint-listening more comparitively normal). I really think of Danse Macabre as a twisted, beautiful, masterpiece in every way. Godspeed.

This is one of the best CD's I've bought in years. I originally heard The Faint by accident via listening to Yahoo Launchcast - and the music was so compelling I've gotten all of their CDs.

From what we have seen regarding commercial music - its pretty easy to have a rocked-out beat - but its harder to have lyrics with substance. The Faint's songs on 'Danse Macabre' not only have rocked out beats - but the songwriting for each song is top notch.

'Glass Danse' is a natural standout - but 'Violence' is a piece of storytelling set to music. The rest of the CD is gem-worthy as well. There's not a single song on here that I would skip. this is the first CD I've listened to in years where I've listened to for the *entire* playtime.

If you are looking for some quality music with killer beats - 'Danse Macabre' is the way to go.

this is an awesome album...it didn't leave my stereo for weeks... i've listened to it over and over again. when i first heard The Faint, i didn't care too much for his vocals, but now i love them. when i bought this cd i didn't expect for this to end up being one of my favorite bands, because i get very picky...but, man, this album is f***ing awesome....i don't know how else to describe it.

And Never regreated.
Seriously ,I have'nt bought a disc in years,and this one have been in my home stereo system for almost two weeks strait..:)

Their music is Very unique ,vocal based electronic sound with an upbeat must dance to it quality.

One time ,while studying for a test a I cyceled this CD 4 times ,before noticing I enjoying the same song's over and over again...

-A must have ! :)