TJ Wells
06/09/05, 05:01 PM
Ok i'm tryin' 2 get a job over at emotionalpunk.com (since i got fired here) so if everyone could leave feedback in the replies i would really appreciate it! here it is:
Daphne Loves Derby - On The Strength Of All Convinced
Outlook Records 2005
Overall - 7.5
Sound Quality - 8
Music Quality - 9
Production - 7.5
Originality - 5
For two years now, I have told everyone about the greatness that is Daphne Loves Derby. Ever since I heard “Come Winter” when it was a featured song on mp3.com, I knew these guys were destined for greatness. In the last few months, the hype for these guys and their new album has gotten HUGE. And with their new album On The Strength Of All Convinced, they live up to the hype – for the most part.
The album starts out with “Sundays”, a great opener. It starts out with a slow piano intro and then all of a sudden jumps right into the first verse, very reminiscent of the intro to The Starting Line’s “Making Love To The Camera”. “Hammers And Hearts” has a chorus that you won’t be able to get out of your head. “A Year On An Airplane” and “Birthday Gallery” each have their bright spots, but I found them to be pretty much forgettable. Just when you think that the whole album is going to sound the same, fortunately they pull you back in with “Middle Middle”. While it doesn’t sound much different than the demo they posted on their pureVOLUME page a little while back, they have added a few nice touches. I especially like the maracas in the background. “If You’re Lucky, No One Will Get Hurt” is a nice change of pace, and really shows the strength and potential of Kenny’s voice (which I found to be strikingly similar to that of Aaron Marsh from Copeland). The album closes with “What We Have Been Waiting For”, a chorus driven song that is a good and fitting end to a hit or miss album.
The production for the album by (who else?) Casey Bates is right on, and I think proves why he is probably the most respected producer out in Seattle today. He makes even the slowest song feel like it’s filled with energy, and he is an amazing talent.
These guys have an incredible amount of potential, which, while not at all fulfilled on this album, they certainly are showing better than they did on the Closing Down The Pattern Department EP. Unfortunately, they aren’t doing anything different than what we’re hearing all the time now, be it from Mae, Copeland, Anberlin, This Day & Age…the list goes on and on. Right now, all they’re putting out is a few great songs (“Hammers & Hearts”, “Kirby”, “Middle Middle”) and then a bunch of what I’ll have to call filler. However, I think you give these guys some time, and they will definitely be a band you’re begging your friends to listen to someday.
Daphne Loves Derby - On The Strength Of All Convinced
Outlook Records 2005
Overall - 7.5
Sound Quality - 8
Music Quality - 9
Production - 7.5
Originality - 5
For two years now, I have told everyone about the greatness that is Daphne Loves Derby. Ever since I heard “Come Winter” when it was a featured song on mp3.com, I knew these guys were destined for greatness. In the last few months, the hype for these guys and their new album has gotten HUGE. And with their new album On The Strength Of All Convinced, they live up to the hype – for the most part.
The album starts out with “Sundays”, a great opener. It starts out with a slow piano intro and then all of a sudden jumps right into the first verse, very reminiscent of the intro to The Starting Line’s “Making Love To The Camera”. “Hammers And Hearts” has a chorus that you won’t be able to get out of your head. “A Year On An Airplane” and “Birthday Gallery” each have their bright spots, but I found them to be pretty much forgettable. Just when you think that the whole album is going to sound the same, fortunately they pull you back in with “Middle Middle”. While it doesn’t sound much different than the demo they posted on their pureVOLUME page a little while back, they have added a few nice touches. I especially like the maracas in the background. “If You’re Lucky, No One Will Get Hurt” is a nice change of pace, and really shows the strength and potential of Kenny’s voice (which I found to be strikingly similar to that of Aaron Marsh from Copeland). The album closes with “What We Have Been Waiting For”, a chorus driven song that is a good and fitting end to a hit or miss album.
The production for the album by (who else?) Casey Bates is right on, and I think proves why he is probably the most respected producer out in Seattle today. He makes even the slowest song feel like it’s filled with energy, and he is an amazing talent.
These guys have an incredible amount of potential, which, while not at all fulfilled on this album, they certainly are showing better than they did on the Closing Down The Pattern Department EP. Unfortunately, they aren’t doing anything different than what we’re hearing all the time now, be it from Mae, Copeland, Anberlin, This Day & Age…the list goes on and on. Right now, all they’re putting out is a few great songs (“Hammers & Hearts”, “Kirby”, “Middle Middle”) and then a bunch of what I’ll have to call filler. However, I think you give these guys some time, and they will definitely be a band you’re begging your friends to listen to someday.