Daniel Romano, Living Hour, and Skinny Dyck
Daniel Romano’s Outfit
La Luna // You’ve Changed Records
As I sit in a busy airport, gazing around at all the other weary travelers, looking anxious and uncertain, I think to myself - if they were listening to La Luna through their choice of headphones - their ears, minds, and souls would be supplied with the peace and tranquility they so desperately appear to need.
After releasing Cobra Poems exactly one year ago, Daniel Romano’s Outfit continues to push the line of creativity, perseverance, and poetry to a new level. However, as opposed to Cobra Poems’ 10 tracks, La Luna consists of two singles. TWO?? Well, let me add the two singles - “La Luna - Part 1” and “La Luna Part 2” are 17:25 and 15:44 in length respectively.
“La Luna - Part 1” begins with an easing and swinging overture in 3/4 time followed by VI acts. Each act blending beauty, allowing the listener a moment to comprehend what has played, and an instant to catch their breath. “La Luna - Part 2” consists of VII acts and concludes with a triumphant finale. The tempo and time of La Luna’s 2 parts flow freely and they allow so much room and growth for a plethora of instruments. The lyrics, melodies, and harmonies are as wide and full as the moon. Every time Julianna Riolino’s voice appears, it is magical and captivating! There is a recurring melody and theme that transcends both parts of La Luna. You’ve got to listen carefully in order for it to present itself to you.
La Luna must be recognized and appreciated for what it is, a masterfully structured, orchestrated and daring piece of true art. I know I always conclude with the below quote; however, this time it is truly required. There are so many stunning pieces of music throughout La Luna to discover. I can honestly say I have listened to this cinematic wonder, but I have yet to truly hear it.
La Luna will be supported this fall by a full-length film starring Julie Doiron, who has been featured on Cups N Cakes. If anyone from You’ve Changed Records or Daniel Romano’s Outfit reads this, do any of you sleep?
‘Headphones. That’s the only way to listen to music. It’s all kinds of different emotions because you get real quiet and comfortable and just listen to it.” ~ Gregg Allamn
- Branton Langley
Living Hour
Someday is Today // Next Door Records
Living Hour released their third full-length album Someday is Today on Sep 2 and will transport you to an alternate reality of pensive and longing reflection. Reshaping your experience with musical streaming consciousness intertwined with the fragility of human connection, emotion and shoegaze dream-pop. Someday is Today has 11 tracks and runs approximately 45 minutes.
Someday is Today is the work of Sam Sarty (Bassist/Keyboardist/Vocalist), Adam Soloway (Guitar/Vocals), Gilad Carroll (Guitar/Vocals) and Brett Ticzon (Bass/Keys/Drums). The band collaborated with a number of friends including drummer Jason Tait. Melina Duterte, Jonathan Schenke and Samur Khouja did production work on the album.
The album begins with the song “Hold Me in Your Mind”. A song that has a strong beat with undercurrents of synth that crescendos towards the next song “Lemons and Gin” a song that makes you want to sway back and forth. Someday is Today drifts from one song to the next through “Middle Name,” a song about “getting stuck with yourself, forever,” to their single “Feelings Meeting”. “Feelings Meeting” is a harmony of voices contrasted with heavy turbulent instrumentation.
Let the sonic swells of “Curve” transport you through the droning yet driving and crisp sound landscape of “Hump” to the bright and playful layers of “Miss Miss Miss”. “Exploding Rain” starts out slow and alternates between dynamic fast-moving highs to slow-moving lows. The hypnotic and vulnerable “No Body” is about disassociation. “Memory Express” is the instrumental dance that hovers just above your skin and lingers in your ears.
When you listen to Someday is Today be prepared to flow through an emotional and vulnerable ride. Its jangling instrumentals, charming vocals and will draw you into its’ gravity and slingshot you out to drift among the stars. Unlike their last album, this one will not be going on my sleepytime playlist.
- Keeley Braunstein-Black
Skinny Dyck
Palace Waiting // Sound Asleep Records
A man pulls up to the bar and asks "What kind of music do you usually have here?" The cheery bartender answers "Oh, we got both kinds. We got Country, and Western!" This seminal line from the cult classic movie, Blues Brothers, was running through my head constantly as I listened to the latest release from Skinny Dyck, Palace Waiting.
Country music, like many genres, has gone through many reapproproations over the years, somehow always aligning itself with the current era's pop music -- in a weird distant cousin kind of way. But when you go back to its roots, you find twangy guitars, searing pedal steels, thumpy bass, minimal drums, and of course, simple relatable lyrics over singable melodies. Palace Waiting lays right into these traditional formulas, and absolutely nails the feel and vibe of an era.
One thing you'll find in bunches here is western swing. This foundational rhythm is spread across many of the songs on the album. Songs like "Ripe There on the Vine" and "In on the Upswing" give us slow ballads that feature the pedal steel as the answerer to the warm and genuine vocals. All the typical sounds and licks are performed perfectly; the steel playing is first class. Then there's the funnest song on the release, "Be a Little Quieter" (a bonus track when you buy the full digital release), which is much more uptempo and leans into clever lyrics that leave you with a smile on your face. All of them have that underlying swing feel and drive that leaves you tapping your toes relentlessly.
Skinny Dyck also gives us some more old-old-school R&B style tracks; think Everly Brothers or Ritchie Valens. The tracks "No Power" (another bonus track) and "TV Blue" really move us out of the rural and give us a more urban glimpse of pop back in the day. But he cleverly swaps out the expected gang harmonies with extra instrumentation; doubling guitars and using the pedal steel to its fullest to ground it fully with the other songs.
If you are a fan of Country music, this release is spectacular. It seamlessly slips you back and pays homage to an entire era of music, while bringing it up to date with top notch production, and fantastic vocals. And if you're not into classic Country (and Western) music, this is a shining example of what you're missing, and may just be your gateway.
- Matt Budd
