Option Paralysis

{{Main|Party Smasher Inc.}}The Dillinger Escape Plan announced their departure from Relapse Records in 2009. They had become dissatisfied with the music industry and music media, and decided to create their own record label to release their fourth studio album. The band created their own imprint Party Smasher Inc. under French label Season of Mist. They stated that Party Smasher (which was originally erroneously reported to be called Photogenic Records){{cite web| last = Jon| first = W| title = New Dillinger Escape Plan Album to Hit Early 2010 on New Label| work = Headbangers Blog| publisher = MTV| date = May 27, 2009| url = http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2009/05/27/new-dillinger-escape-plan-album-to-hit-early-2010-on-new-label/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090604163446/http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2009/05/27/new-dillinger-escape-plan-album-to-hit-early-2010-on-new-label/| url-status = dead| archive-date = June 4, 2009| access-date = March 2, 2010}}{{cite web| last = Neilstein| first = Vince| title = So, Dillinger Escape Plan have left relapse| work = MetalSucks | date = May 28, 2009| url = http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/05/28/so-dillinger-escape-plan-have-left-relapse/| access-date = March 2, 2010}} is not technically a record label but a "creative umbrella" for all things related to The Dillinger Escape Plan. In an interview with Alternative Press, Weinman stated, "Well, I should clarify that it's not exactly our attempt to run a record label. That's not something we could be good at, and it's obviously not something anybody's good at these days. [Laughs] It's more a situation where we now have a name for this umbrella that covers every business and artistic decision we make - whether it's Dillinger, side-projects or whatever".{{cite magazine| last = Burges| first = Aaron| date = April 2010| title = Option Paralysis Review & In-Store Session with guitarist Ben Weinman |magazine= Alternative Press| volume = 24| issue = #261|page=124| publisher = Alternative Press Magazines Inc.| location = Cleveland, Ohio| issn = 1065-1667| url = }}

In a blog on the band's MySpace profile, vocalist Greg Puciato revealed that they would be entering the studio from September 7 - October 30, 2009 to record Option Paralysis with longtime collaborator Steve Evetts.{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=13372776&blogId=507122926 |title=The Dillinger Escape Plan's MySpace account - 08/24/2009 |access-date=2009-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207065936/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view |archive-date=2009-02-07 |url-status=dead }} The band focused on these sessions more than in previous albums and the members stayed on the studio from noon to night or more, for three months. Puciato described the process as overwhelming but necessary: "We really went as far as we could making sure that every little thing was exactly the way we wanted. How many records are you gonna be able to do in your life? It’s the one thing you can look back on and either say, 'Fuck, I wish we did that differently' or 'We did that exactly the way we were going to'. You're going to die with nothing, man. This is going to outlive any of us, hopefully".{{cite web|access-date=January 26, 2020|location=London|first=Adam|last=Anonymous |url=https://thequietus.com/articles/04040-the-dillinger-escape-plan-interview-option-paralysis|title=The Bravest Metal Band In The World?: The Dillinger Escape Plan Interviewed|website=The Quietus|publication-date=April 7, 2010|url-status=live|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161119194059/http://thequietus.com/articles/04040-the-dillinger-escape-plan-interview-option-paralysis}} Eventually, the recording lasted until November 12, 2009.[https://www.twitter.com/STEVEEVETTS/status/5644281225 Steve Evetts' Twitter account - 11/12/2009]

The album is their second longest yet at over 41 minutes, behind Dissociation, and was described by Ben Weinman as "our most metal record yet".Guitar World February 2010 issue

The title Option Paralysis is a concept referring to an individual "paralyzed" by an overload of options. Ben Weinman cited this as a general concern of the band, whose members grew up in underground scenes but by the time of the album were witnessing young people absorbed in modern technology, which they believe homogenized culture and caused "[almost a] cultural depression".Bryant, Tom. Kerrang! #1306, April 03, 2010. Dillinger Escape Plan. p.41

During the writing process, Puciato was going through personal issues, and described Option Paralysis as one of the toughest and the most honest album he made thus far.{{cite web|access-date=January 26, 2020|url=http://rockandrollreport.com/the-dillinger-escape-plans-greg-puciato-offers-up-one-of-the-most-interesting-and-truthful-interviews-to-ever-hit-the-rock-and-roll-report-really|title=The Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato offers up one of the most interesting and truthful interviews to ever hit The Rock and Roll Report. Really.|publication-date=August 2, 2010|first=Barbara|last= Pavone|website=Rockandrollreport.com|archive-date=December 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217181112/http://rockandrollreport.com/the-dillinger-escape-plans-greg-puciato-offers-up-one-of-the-most-interesting-and-truthful-interviews-to-ever-hit-the-rock-and-roll-report-really/}} The singer was immersed in absurdist philosophy at the time, reading authors such as Søren Kierkegaard and particularly Albert Camus' work, including The Stranger, The Plague, Exile and the Kingdom and The Myth of Sisyphus.{{cite web|last=Parks|first=Andrew|access-date=January 25, 2020|title=THE SELF-TITLED INTERVIEW: The Dillinger Escape Plan|publication-date=July 16, 2010|url=http://www.self-titledmag.com/2010/07/16/the-self-titled-interview-the-dillinger-escape-plan/|website=Self-titledmag.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161119194518/http://www.self-titledmag.com/2010/07/16/the-self-titled-interview-the-dillinger-escape-plan/|archive-date=November 19, 2016|df=mdy-all}} The lyrics were composed in free association and Puciato believes that they unearthed subconscious issues he had, but chose to keep them private.{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/dillinger_escape_plan_get_blues|access-date=January 25, 2020|first=Keith |last=Carman|publication-date=March 25, 2010|title=Dillinger Escape Plan Get the Blues|website=Exclaim!|url-status=live|archive-date=December 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228155356/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/dillinger_escape_plan_get_blues}}

"Room Full of Eyes" was named for the 1995 song "1,000 Eyes" by Death.{{cite web|access-date=February 27, 2020|first=Merlin |last=Alderslade|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/metal-hammer-uk/20181101/281595241535241|title=You'll never guess what album young GREG PUCIATO hid under a rock so his parents wouldn't find it. This is his Slaylist.|publication-date=November 1, 2018|location=United Kingdom|magazine=Metal Hammer|via=PressReader}}

The band released several demo snippets on their YouTube channel.[https://www.youtube.com/user/ChuckBillyTotemPoll The Dillinger Escape Plan's YouTube channel] Furthermore, a website for the record was set up, linking to all of the studio update videos and demo snippets.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091015071445/http://www.optionparalysis.net/ Option Paralysis - www.optionparalysis.net]}} During their North American East Coast tour with Thursday in December 2009, the band sold download cards at their shows that entitled the customer to a download of the 10 song album upon its release with 3 additional exclusive bonus tracks.[https://www.twitter.com/dillingerescpln/status/6364438276 Ben Weinman's / The Dillinger Escape Plan's Twitter account - 12/05/2009]

The song "Farewell, Mona Lisa", debuted on Liquid Metal SXM on Christmas Day, 2009;[https://www.twitter.com/dillingerescpln Ben Weinman's / The Dillinger Escape Plan's Twitter account - 12/24/2009] it became available for download on January 19, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030IO032/ |title=Farewell, Mona Lisa: The Dillinger Escape Plan |website=Amazon |access-date=October 19, 2011}} "Chinese Whispers" was debuted on Full Metal Jackie's syndicated radio show broadcast on 29 stations throughout the USA on the March 5, 2010, and was subsequently played on the next two days. On March 9, the blog MetalSucks featured the online debut of the song.{{cite web| title = Exclusive Web Debut of The Dillinger Escape Plan's "Chinese Whispers"| work = MetalSucks | date = March 3, 2010| url = http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/03/09/dillinger-escape-plan-chinese-whispers/| access-date = March 13, 2010}}

In February, the album was made available for pre-orders through the Season of Mist e-shop. It was available in a variety of formats, including a box set, Digipak, black vinyl and transparent vinyl. A white vinyl was later made available through Relapse Records.

Former frontman Dimitri Minakakis (who also contributed artwork for 2004 album Miss Machine) created the artwork for Option Paralysis. In an interview, Jeff Tuttle revealed that the album cover features photographs and images that the members captured themselves.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 82/100{{Metacritic album}}

| rev1 = AbsolutePunk

| rev1Score = 9.0/10{{cite web| last = Pfleider| first = Adam| title = Review: Option Paralysis| work = AbsolutePunk| date = March 11, 2010| url = http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1591212| access-date = March 11, 2010}}

| rev2 = AllMusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/option-paralysis-mw0001965567|title=Option Paralysis - The Dillinger Escape Plan - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|language=en|access-date=2018-09-19}}

| rev3 = Alternative Press

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}

| rev4 = BBC

| rev4Score = positive{{cite web| last = Diver| first = Mike| title = Review: Option Paralysis| work = BBC| date = March 10, 2010| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/dd3q| access-date = March 10, 2010}}

| rev5 = Decibel

| rev5Score = 8/10{{cite magazine|last=Green |first=Nick |date=April 2010 |title=The Dillinger Escape Plan remain predictably unpredictable on Option Paralysis |magazine=Decibel |issue=#66 |pages=69–70 |publisher=Red Flag Media Inc. |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |issn=1557-2137 |url=http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=360374 |access-date=March 23, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326223308/http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=360374 |archive-date=March 26, 2010 }}

| rev6 = Rock Sound

| rev6Score = 9/10{{cite web| last = Patashnik| first = Ben| title = Review: Option Paralysis| work = Rock Sound | date = March 15, 2010| url = http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/the-dillinger-escape-plan-option-paralysis| access-date = March 15, 2010}}

| rev7 = Slant Magazine

| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |first= Matthew|last= Cole|title= The Dillinger Escape Plan: Option Paralysis|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/dillinger-escape-plan-option-paralysis/2049 |work=Slant Magazine |access-date=March 23, 2010| date=March 23, 2010}}

| rev8 = Spin

| rev8Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |first= Christopher|last= Weingarten|title= Metal mathematicians throttle anthemic formula|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/dillinger-escape-plan-option-paralysis-party-smasherseason-mist |work=Spin |access-date=March 22, 2010| date=March 9, 2010}}

| rev9 = Revolver

| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |first= Brandon|last= Geist|title= Option Paralysis review. Page #88, March/April 2010 issue : The Tattoo issue. |url=http://www.revolvermag.com/magazine |work=Revolver|date= 9 August 2017}}

| rev10 = Sputnikmusic

| rev10Score = 4.5/5{{cite web| last = Flatley| first = Ryan| title = Review: Option Paralysis| work = Sputnikmusic | date = March 3, 2010| url = http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=35320| access-date = March 3, 2010}}

| rev11 = Pitchfork

| rev11Score = 7.2/10{{cite web|last1=Harvell|first1=Jess|title=The Dillinger Escape Plan: Option Paralysis Album Review|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14201-option-paralysis/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=9 June 2017}}

| noprose = yes

}}

Option Paralysis was released to overall critical acclaim. The album garnered a rating of 82/100, or universal acclaim, on aggregate review site Metacritic.{{cite web| title = Option Paralysis MetaScore| work = Metacritic| url = http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/dillingerescapeplan/optionparalysis| access-date = April 4, 2010}}

Exclaim! named Option Paralysis the No. 2 Metal Album of 2010.{{cite web| title = Year in Review: Metal| work = Exclaim!|url = http://exclaim.ca/Features/YearInReview/metal_year_in_review_2010/Page/2}}

Option Paralysis was very well received by the public. On Rate Your Music the album has an average rating of {{Abbr|3.44|normalized: 65.3%}} of 5, based on more than 1,750 ratings,{{Cite web |url=http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_dillinger_esc_plan/option_paralysis/ |title=Option Paralysis by The Dillinger Escape Plan (Album, Mathcore) |website=rateyourmusic.com |publisher=Sonemic |access-date=October 4, 2015}} and on Sputnikmusic the album has an "excellent" average rating of {{Abbr|4.1|normalized: 77.5%}} of 5, based on more than 2,400 ratings.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=48997 |title=The Dillinger Escape Plan - Option Paralysis User Opinions |website=www.sputnikmusic.com |publisher=Sputnikmusic |access-date=October 4, 2015}} The album is #19 on the list "Best Albums of 2010" on Sputnikmusic.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/best/albums/2010/ |title=Best Albums of 2010 |website=www.sputnikmusic.com |publisher=Sputnikmusic |access-date=October 4, 2015}}

Option Paralysis received the highest percentage of #1 votes in the 2010 Pitchfork Readers' Poll.{{cite web|title = 2010 Pitchfork Readers Poll|publisher = Pitchfork Media|date = January 3, 2011|url = http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7892-2010-pitchfork-readers-poll/|access-date = January 10, 2011}}

{{Track listing

| all_lyrics = Greg Puciato except "Parasitic Twins" by Jeff Tuttle

| all_music = Ben Weinman

| title1 = Farewell, Mona Lisa

| length1 = 5:23

| title2 = Good Neighbor

| length2 = 2:30

| title3 = Gold Teeth on a Bum

| length3 = 5:22

| title4 = Crystal Morning

| length4 = 2:02

| title5 = Endless Endings

| length5 = 2:32

| title6 = Widower

| length6 = 6:23

| title7 = Room Full of Eyes

| length7 = 4:15

| title8 = Chinese Whispers

| length8 = 4:06

| title9 = I Wouldn't If You Didn't

| length9 = 4:14

| title10 = Parasitic Twins

| length10 = 4:41

| total_length = 41:28

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Vinyl{{cite web| title = Option Paralysis LP| work = Allmusic| url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1743423|pure_url=yes}}| access-date = March 18, 2010}} and Japanese bonus track

| title11 = Chuck McChip

| length11 = 2:24

| total_length = 43:52

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = iTunes bonus track

| title11 = Farewell, Mona Lisa

| note11 = demo version

| length11 = 4:57

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Amazon bonus track

| title11 = Endless Endings

| note11 = demo version

| length11 = 2:45

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Box set and digipak bonus track

| title11 = Heat Deaf Melted Grill

| length11 = 2:53

}}

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Paralyzing Edition

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| title11 = Heat Deaf Melted Grill

| length11 = 2:52

| title12 = Chuck McChip

| length12 = 2:23

| title13 = Farewell, Mona Lisa

| note13 = Demo Version

| length13 = 4:56

| title14 = Endless Endings

| note14 = Demo Version

| length14 = 2:45

| title15 = Parasitic Twins

| note15 = Instrumental Version

| length15 = 4:41

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}}

;The Dillinger Escape Plan

• Greg Puciato – vocals
• Benjamin Weinman – guitar, piano, sound design, programming, backing vocals on "Good Neighbor"
• Jeff Tuttle – backing vocals on "Good Neighbor", "Gold Teeth on a Bum", "Crystal Morning" and "Parasitic Twins"{{cite news|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2010/03/03/interview-with-ben-weinman-of-dillinger-escape-plan-more-than-they-were-destined-for/ |title=Interview with Ben Weinman of Dillinger Escape Plan: More Than They Were Destined For |newspaper=The Aquarian Weekly |access-date=October 19, 2011}}
• Liam Wilson – bass
• Billy Rymer – drums

;Guest musicians

• Mike Garson – additional piano on "Widower" and "I Wouldn't If You Didn't"{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/features/article/the-dillinger-escape-plan2|title=Rock Sound talks to Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist Ben Weinman about 'Option Paralysis'|last=Kelham|first=Andrew|date=October 29, 2009|work=Rock Sound|access-date=March 2, 2010|archive-date=November 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091101083432/http://www.rocksound.tv/features/article/the-dillinger-escape-plan2|url-status=dead}}[http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/dillinger-escape-plan-announce-option-paralysis-special-guest/ Metal Hammer Website 12/09/2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213070600/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/dillinger-escape-plan-announce-option-paralysis-special-guest/ |date=2009-12-13 }}

;Technical

• Benjamin Weinman – producer
• Steve Evetts – producer, engineer, mixing
• Allan Hessler – assistant engineer
• Alan Douches – mastering

;Other

• Dimitri Minakakis (Pronto Workshop) – artwork
• Benjamin Weinman – management
• Jim Morewood (English Gent Organization) – International booking
• Justin Hirschman (Artist Group International) – North American booking
• Ian J. Friedman, Esq. – legal

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{AllMusic |class=album |id=mw0001965567 |label=Option Paralysis}}
• [http://www.dillingerescapeplan.org/content/option-paralysis Option Paralysis] at the Dillinger Escape Plan's official website
• [http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/track-by-track_the_dillinger_escape_plan Track-by-track with Liam Wilson] at Alternative Press

{{The Dillinger Escape Plan}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2010 albums

Category:Albums produced by Steve Evetts

Category:Season of Mist albums

Category:The Dillinger Escape Plan albums