Klatzke
03/06/09, 10:22 AM
Erickson - Whatever It Takes
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 13, 2009
Among the two main trends emerging, (synthetic pop-scream bands and even more synthetic pop bands), there's another growing trend that fails to catch as much attention as the other two. That is: the one man band. Obviously, acts like Nevershoutnever! and The Rocket Summer have gained some attention, (one of the them rightfully so), but there are more and more emerging as it gets easier to record and market an album that's endevoured by a single man. Enter: Dan Erickson.
While I've never heard his previous album, his sophomore attempt, Whatever It Takes has the potential to gain him a plethora of fans. Some of his tracks are well developed and extremely catchy, such as what seems to be the single "Allison." This track stays strong throughout, and the chorus where Erickson sings: "Allison, you only got one first impression, maybe you're what I've been missing. Maybe you're what I wanted oh-oh, all along" is terribly infectious. The more subdued "What It Takes To Love" has the same potential, and turns out to be one of the better of the album. While some of his lyrics may border on cheesy, such as the line that ruins "I'm the One (For Her)," they're normally well developed enough to make the songs at least wholly enjoyable. (For those curious, the line in the preceeding sentence reads: "I won't stop no i won't stop, cause we did it all night long, cause we did it all night!" which, to me, just seems far too absurd.) Even most of the questionable lyrics aren't to the fatal effect of the aformentioned.
Just as the lyrics go back and forth, so can many of the songs. While the ones I've mentioned are fairly strong (minus "I'm the One") there are quite a few tracks that seem like they're basically filler. However, of the thirteen tracks, most are redeemable, and for the most part you're getting quality tracks. In most of the strong songs, it's Erickson's vocals that make or break the song. For the purpose of explanation, they sound something like I would imagine him sounding if Andrew McMahon (Jack's Mannequin) and John Vesely (Secondhand Serenade) against all odds, found a way to reproduce and their offspring was brought up getting vocal lessons by Bryce Avery (The Rocket Summer). These vocals, of course, dominate these tracks, since they're mostly either piano or lightly guitar based, which creates the best medium for him to translate his songs across.
Despite having some filler, Whatever It Takes is quite the pop album. While Erickson doesn't have the vivacity of some of his peers, he's got a knack for catchy melodies, and while the small lyrical hitches can sometimes snag him up, overall his songs are entertaining. If Erickson could hit it big on a wider audience, I'm sure you'd see quite a few people singing his praises.
Secondhand Serenade; Jack's Mannequin; The Rocket Summer; School Boy Humor
myspace.com/danericksonmusic (http://www.myspace.com/danericksonmusic)
Record Label: None
Release Date: March 13, 2009
Among the two main trends emerging, (synthetic pop-scream bands and even more synthetic pop bands), there's another growing trend that fails to catch as much attention as the other two. That is: the one man band. Obviously, acts like Nevershoutnever! and The Rocket Summer have gained some attention, (one of the them rightfully so), but there are more and more emerging as it gets easier to record and market an album that's endevoured by a single man. Enter: Dan Erickson.
While I've never heard his previous album, his sophomore attempt, Whatever It Takes has the potential to gain him a plethora of fans. Some of his tracks are well developed and extremely catchy, such as what seems to be the single "Allison." This track stays strong throughout, and the chorus where Erickson sings: "Allison, you only got one first impression, maybe you're what I've been missing. Maybe you're what I wanted oh-oh, all along" is terribly infectious. The more subdued "What It Takes To Love" has the same potential, and turns out to be one of the better of the album. While some of his lyrics may border on cheesy, such as the line that ruins "I'm the One (For Her)," they're normally well developed enough to make the songs at least wholly enjoyable. (For those curious, the line in the preceeding sentence reads: "I won't stop no i won't stop, cause we did it all night long, cause we did it all night!" which, to me, just seems far too absurd.) Even most of the questionable lyrics aren't to the fatal effect of the aformentioned.
Just as the lyrics go back and forth, so can many of the songs. While the ones I've mentioned are fairly strong (minus "I'm the One") there are quite a few tracks that seem like they're basically filler. However, of the thirteen tracks, most are redeemable, and for the most part you're getting quality tracks. In most of the strong songs, it's Erickson's vocals that make or break the song. For the purpose of explanation, they sound something like I would imagine him sounding if Andrew McMahon (Jack's Mannequin) and John Vesely (Secondhand Serenade) against all odds, found a way to reproduce and their offspring was brought up getting vocal lessons by Bryce Avery (The Rocket Summer). These vocals, of course, dominate these tracks, since they're mostly either piano or lightly guitar based, which creates the best medium for him to translate his songs across.
Despite having some filler, Whatever It Takes is quite the pop album. While Erickson doesn't have the vivacity of some of his peers, he's got a knack for catchy melodies, and while the small lyrical hitches can sometimes snag him up, overall his songs are entertaining. If Erickson could hit it big on a wider audience, I'm sure you'd see quite a few people singing his praises.
Secondhand Serenade; Jack's Mannequin; The Rocket Summer; School Boy Humor
myspace.com/danericksonmusic (http://www.myspace.com/danericksonmusic)