ARTIST: Dropkick
TITLE: Obvious
LABEL: Taylored Records
GENRE: Rock
TIME: 40:11 min
SIZE: 57,9 MB
RIP DATE: Dec-10-2007
RELEASE DATE: Jul-22-2006
WEBSITE: n/a
Track List:
01. Obvious 02:17
02. Dog And Cat 02:03
03. Maybe I Know 02:43
04. 04:45
(Because I'm Blind) I Only Have Ears For Yo
05. Never Understand 03:11
06. Did You Really? 03:12
07. Where Was I? 03:18
08. Question 03:30
09. Come Around 03:53
10. Broken Satellite 03:13
11. Going Home 03:33
12. Freedom 04:33
Release Notes:
Often when you hear a new band you feel compelled to
describe their ensuing sound as a grower. Not in
this case, I liked it immediately. I am a Teenage
Fanclub enthusiast though. Sorry Dropkick I'm sure
you are probably sick of that comparison but it has
to be said.
'Obvious' is Scottish band Dropkick's 4th home
produced album. The title track could be on
Bandwagonesque. The alt. country arrangement is very
similar. It's a slick opener with a sunny finale.
Similarly 'Dog And Cat' boasts a jangly guitar and
keyboard medley, which replicates throughout the
song. On 'Maybe I Know' the chord structure and
riffs are familiar fare but by now they bring Beach
Boys harmonies to the table.
By '(Because I'm Blind) I Only Have Ears For You'
they are beginning to diversify. This track is a
battle of the banjos that results in comedic,
quirky, folk pop. In 'Never Understand' there's a
nod to grunge. The intro is like The Lemonheads'
'It's About Time.' I half expect Evan Dando to
appear on guest vocals.
The Americana ballad 'Where was I?' is a rhetorical
enquiry about the nature of growing up and old that
is at times reminiscent of Ryan Adams. The banjo
laden 'Question' gets under your skin.
'Come Around,' is a simple lilting song with lyrics
that suit the lovely composition that they are
couched within.
The opening of 'Going Home,' promises a muted though
rockier edge. 'When you say the weather drives you
mad I just know you'll end up like your dad' drags
it firmly back to indie territory. 'Broken
Satellite' brings harmonicas to the fore. The
lilting 'Freedom' is more of the same lovely
Californication.
The one thing I would say is that to me the first
half of the album is slightly more memorable than
the last. Having said that I have listened to it
repeatedly without sickening of it. This band's
strength is in their lovely arrangements. They can
really play the range of instruments at their
disposal although occasionally the lyrics don't yet
equal their luscious melodies. It's their fault for
setting the musical bar so high!
With such hallowed predecessors how can they go
wrong? Show me a band that doesn't sound like anyone
else and I'll show you the Easter Bunny. If they
manage to make it down from Northern Britain I would
love to see them live.