DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA / Pandora's Piñata [2012]

After two successfully executed albums I was afraid Diablo Swing Orchestra might start to wear thin in the creative department but still excel in musicianship.  I was wrong.

2012's Pandora's Piñata is by far their best album to date.  They've perfected the balance of creativity and technicality while still remaining gracefully melodic and catchy.  The colorful tapestry of tones and textures on this album are simply outstanding compared to previous efforts.  A truly amazing album that's got something different around each corner turned.

5 electrical phenomenons in the sky out of 5

Songs Of Note: Honey Trap Aftermath; Justice For St. Mary

DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA / Sing Along Songs For The Damned & Delirious [2009]

After the mass critical success of Diablo Swing Orchestra's 2006 debut album, the Swedish avant-garde band had a lot to live up to now that the element of WTF was no longer in their favor.  

The 2009 sophomore album Sing Along Songs For The Damned & Delirious meets all expectations and then some.  Like a headbanger's version of Squirrel Nut Zippers tattooed in candy colored pentagrams and sipping tea from clown skulls, DSO have tightened the loose screws in their outlandish cartoony sound. As eclectic as they are, they don't let gloaty musicianship get in the way of solid, melodic songwriting.

4½ Gangkrig's out of 5

Songs Of Note: New World Widows; Memoirs Of A Roadkill

DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA / The Butcher's Ballroom [2006]

It's not everyday a band like Sweden's Gothic avant-garde metal band, Diablo Swing Orchestra comes along and wakes you up with a swift kick in the ass.

On their 2006 debut album, The Butcher's Ballrom, the eclectic DSO seamlessly stitches together opera, swing, thrash, jazz and even flamenco.  At times their chamber style music is a little muddled up and fails to interest but for the most part this album is an entertaining, brilliantly executed wild ride following in the footsteps of Unexpect, Mr. Bungle and Ulver.

4 devilish didgeridoo's out of 5

Songs Of Note: Poetic Pitbull Revolutions; Ragdoll Physics