I don't remember exactly how, when, or where I came across Dinosaur Pile-Up, but they are arguably one of the best things to happen to the music scene in quite some time. The band are gearing up to release their fifth studio album, I've Felt Better, and I am sure it is going to tug at our heartstrings and make us come to terms with emotions, fears, and concepts we've been trying to hide from. While overcoming life-threatening illness to find a new perspective on life to trying to move past trauma that still has a hold on you, Dinosaur Pile-Up is sure to be lay it all out on the table for us and show the world why they are as massive as they are.
One of the most incredible things right off the bat has to be how impressive each and every song on the album starts and works to bring a cohesiveness to the album while allowing each song to act independently of each other if needed. Are these songs acting as a cry for help? A show of strength as an obstacle no longer stands in the way? After being left in critical care in 2021 from ulcerative colitis, frontman Matt Bigland was able to come to terms what this whole "life" thing was really about. Bigland states:
“You think you’re halfway through life, then you realise you might be right at the end. Being in that room was scary. I felt incredibly vulnerable. I had no control. But hearing people in the final hours of their lives forced me to think about what would happen if I were to die. What was I leaving behind? What really mattered while I was here? What bullshit did I waste my time worrying about? What had true value to me? I’ve always understood that life can be fleeting and fragile – how important it is to take every chance – but I’d never processed it quite like that…”
The entire album showcases the talent of the band. Songs like "Sick Of Being Down" and "'Bout To Lose It" instantly have me thinking of a raw punk song that makes you want to mosh the night away. Meanwhile, "Big Dogs" and "My Way" almost give off a funky vibe while keeping that punk mentality, similar to how you might feel listening to a band like Bloodhound Gang or Electric Callboy. The songs make you want dance til the early morning and throw down in the pit until you've given it all you can.
Maybe you want to cry and let it all out. Well, the band has you covered on that as well. Listening to "Love's The Worst" and singing along to lyrics like "Since you and me split / I thought that you should know / I threw out all your shit / And blocked your fucking phone" will have the tears running down your face until you feel the weight lifted from your chest.
All this is to say the following: Dinosaur Pile-Up is that band. With the ability to conquer a wide genre of emotion, sound, lyrical content, and anything else that life can throw their way, they show that nothing is going to stop them.
