coming into the album with the knowledge and history of Sick and the Beautiful and the Candyland cd's... i had some high expectations... just because these guys rule.
the intro, i believe to be the best intro rackets has ever done. and you gotta love the name of "the asylum" and its meaning...
now... as far as the music... (and don't tell Kandy i said this) i feel this album makes a bigger point on the whole "manson vs. rackets" argument than any other work they've done. They decided to change their look to more of a Coal Chamber look and changed their music to be more music and less production.
in some ways, i think that's a good thing. in others, it's a bad thing.
good- the album production and quality is better
bad- they sound like early manson and the riffs still suck
one thing this album brings out is the odd way most gothic shock bands have somehow decided "hey we don't need to USE the talent we've gained over the years". on some songs in this album, it shows. i do however, think that this album is the most musically talented album they've done yet.
i can't say "the band has matured a lot since their last album" because i don't find that. it's different, some of the riffs are better, but the band has always had this talent and they have more. Kandy used to be in a somewhat black metal band and has played guitar for a long time... he has talent... it's just the style.
my favorite songs are 'Personal Jesus' (mainly because it fits them, it's not bad, good lyrics, and depeche mode sucks), 'Trick or Treat', and 'Virgin in the midst' (this song always makes me think of Fear of a Black Hat. the old rap parody movie by Rusty Cundieff. 'virgins in the midst of a race riot...' heheh)
the songs i could do without? 'Beat the devil' is... i'm sorry, while having some to the point and good lyrics... the song sucks. bad. other than 'Beat the devil', the 'Plastic Jesus' remix (they just took out the effects and it made it sound bad), and the 'Rotten Apples' that doesn't even compare to the concert version, however this album is great.
i would have to bring the point across that in concert, they now have larvae on bass, two guitarists and multiple vocs. this makes for a much better sound than that on the album.
far better musicianship, far better material, far better lyrical, far better album. get it. get it now.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by NecRoSarXDon't think the rating has anything to do with the fact that I happen to be a ravenous, drooling fan of the band. No, the reason for the high rating is because Trick or Treat, compared with their first release Candyland, is better. Tons better. Better production, better musicianship, better packaging, better spooky-ness. . . Trick or Treat is to Candyland as the steak and shrimp dinner at the…Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by D_ListerDid I like Candyland, the first release by Rackets & Drapes? Yes I did, however it's not the type of CD that finds itself spinning constantly in my CD player. No Candyland is certainly the type of CD that I simply have to be 'in the mood for.' I think mainly it's the combination of a musical style that's not my absolute favorite combined with the mediocre production. Well Trick or Treat fixed all…Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by SORGThis band has slowly won their way to my heart over the last few years with their dark and sometimes chaotic message. I have not heard the "controversial European version" of this disc yet but the tunes on the American version of Trick or Treat are definitely a treat, especially to those in the industrial and goth scenes. The music is really not that much different from the Marilyn Manson…Similar sounding releases
2001Brain:FAQBrainstorming
2000Broken FreeConducting the Sunrise
1999P.O.D.The Fundamental Elements of Southtown
2002ShowbreadPromo EP
2005Doug PinnickEmotional Animal
2001East WestThe Light in Guinevere's GardenMore from Rackets & Drapes
2002Love Letters from Hell
1996Inside, Outside, Upside Down
1999The Sick and the Beautiful
1998Candyland
