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This song starts out with just an acoustic and Ronnie's full, out-front vocals, telling a story about a boy (dangerous, perhaps?) that you're just starting to get into, then the background organ and violin kick in and the rock begins. Things get crazy as the song keeps building and building, crossing genres and lines with orchestral distortion and radio box vox going in a thousand different crazy directions.
While I was listening to "Danger Boy", there was only one thing I could think. Wow. "Danger Boy" provides the ears with a melody of a Guitar, Organ, and Violin that is both organically and electronically perfected. Thanks to these guys, I'd really love to know what this "Southern Gothic" movement is all about (which, by the way, is how they describe themselves). Is there a tee-shirt I can buy somewhere? Maybe you've got to live in Australia to really get a feel for this brain twisting genre of sound.
All good things must come to an end, eventually, right? Even though there are very few downsides for the song "Danger Boy", I did feel that it could become a little busy at times. Especially when the background vocal tracks, Shannon's strings, Tim's hammond, and lead vocals are all cacaphony-ing around in the mix, I began to feel a little lost at certain points. There were also some instances where the singing -- while I did enjoy Ronnie's stylistic wavering -- would wobble in and out; almost like he was nervous. This perhaps sounds unintended at certain points.
The unique instrumentation and approach of this band is not seen in a lot of bands today, and brings a new feeling to their music that comes through in this song. I feel they enjoy the music they're playing and are able to write fantastic songs such as this one; still making it appeal to a wide range of listeners.
This is bound to be a favorite for lovers of "Over the Rhine", "Bright Eyes", "Poi Dog Pondering"; or really any real rock / acoustic / fusion / experimental outfit that makes good use of a non-standard rock sound. Especially if you remember the Palm Fabric Orchestra, you'll like these guys (and gal). So go to their MP3 Australia page and check out their newest songs as well as, of course, "Danger Boy".
- NickP
BandFreaks Band Reviewer |
