By Genre Pissed Off Electric Blues Folk Punk The Cleanest People Get Ill The Most
The Cleanest People Get Ill The Most
Thursday, 14 May 2009 08:39 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
The other day Dan sent me an email in which he said he just finished an album and wondered what I thought. He went on to say that all his mates think its great, but he can't trust them. I told him to send me a copy and our team of cranky grouchy reviewers would give it a listen and that we would be more than happy to tell Dan exactly what we think. A few days later I received a CD in the mail with a note - Hi from the UK, here is the CD.
The first thing I noticed was the album cover. I thought this should be good!
It is good - I like this album a lot although you need to really listen to it a few times. There is a definite Johnny Cash vibe - I dig it. The music is raw and emotional. His lyrics are both pointed and funny.
The music grooves and there is a strong nod to the Delta blues.
Of particular note are:
Track 1 - Bring Her Home - the first thing you notice is Dan's grizzled voice as the guitar starts. Tthe bass and drums come in to form a hypnotic groove. His voice sounds menacing as he moans for his baby to come home. Charles Manson sings the Blues. He is so upset he will even sell his soul to the Devil if only he can get her back.
I hope you get my message / I hope it finds you well / I just wanted to tell you / That I’m still looking / So tell me - how’s it going?/ Tell me - how have you been? / I heard you found some one new / But I’m still looking / You’ve got a chunk of my soul
Track 3 - Bankrupt Blues - this song is a jam that reminds me of the Flat Duo Jets. The emotion is tangible as Dan weaves his tale of woe. This song rocks. Dan pulls out some really soulful Delta Blues - well done.
I just need a bit of credit / just need a bit of time / But all I've got is an empty bottle / And a belly full of wine / I'm crying oh oh oh / I'm getting deeper in debt / I'm oh oh oh getting deeper in debt / I'm oh oh oh I'm getting deeper in debt.
Track 4 - Freedom Breeds Bliss - One of the best songs on the album. The music rocks in its simplicity and his voice sounds so menacing. That coupled with pointed lyrics about the gradual erosion of our freedom and civil liberties (I read that London has more cameras that any other city in the world -all meant for spying on the citizens of London.)
On the day when I slam my fists into your face / It will be such a happy day / All the birds will sing as your head begins to spin / And you crack your head open upon the curb.
As you’re carried away by ambulance to some horrible hospital / I hope that every speed bump amplifies your pain / And I hope the traffic’s really choking and the siren and the lights are broken / So it takes at least an hour to go a mile /
About 2/3 into the song, right after the birds chirp. We hear a "smack" followed by crying. Dan, I hope that is a dude you are supposed to be hitting.
Track 6 - Tomorrow Came / Getting Older (The track is labeled Tomorrow Came, but the lyrics are from Getting Older)
I like my steak a bit rarer and my cheese more mature / I’m getting older and I like it / I roll my reefers a little bit stronger every year / I take my whisky neat and only buy premium gear / I’m getting older and I like it /
I make my music a little bit weirder every year / And as I twist towards death I learn to live with the fear / Of getting older and liking it / I’m getting older and I like it /
All in all I like this album a lot - Grouch rating Danthedan gets an amazing 4 and 1/2 scowls out of 5. Its not the most complicated music, but he has soul. I'd love to see this guy live. Well done Dan!
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Last Updated (Tuesday, 02 June 2009 10:12)