In late 2005, Dale Turner started chipping away at the ultimate musicianship challenge: Write an entire record of super eclectic (non-mainstream, though surprisingly accessible) ROCK music that *he* (see BIO) wanted to hear, AND produce, perform all the instruments, arrange, and engineer himself (including the disc's artwork). The record that resulted, MANNERISMS MAGNIFIED (finally released June 1, 2010 on the INTIMATE AUDIO label), sits somewhere between the singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist tradition of Jon Brion, Elliott Smith, Joseph Arthur, and Sufjan Stevens, with added flavor from Dale's King's X, Mr. Bungle, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Brian Wilson/Beach Boys, and Bobby McFerrin influences.
We describe the music as "moody, acoustic art-rock," but also enjoy leaving it open to interpretation:
• GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE says: "Smart pop tunes that are crammed with interesting guitar parts and tones ... Will please fans of Grays-era Jon Brion ... Like what the Beach Boys might do if they were on an acid trip that was on the verge of getting out of control. Yeah!"
• MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE says: "Clever in concept and sophisticated in execution. Turner's an accomplished guitarist ... working at a high level. It seems there's nothing he cannot do in the studio."
• THE BIG TAKEOVER says: "With his agile guitar plucking and mischievous lyrical wordplay, Mannerisms proves Turner is an exception to that old axiom, 'Those who can't do, teach.' Expertly crafted, multi-layered, and idiosyncratic guitar pop. Impressive."
• THE MAG (U.K.) says: "Slacker-rock mingles with seventies-style harmonies and new-prog in this eccentric and eclectic collection ... like a strange re-invention of Supertramp, mixed with Pavement. This record is incredibly creative, inventive and well-crafted."
• MUSIC ZEITGEIST says: "Recordings that kick trendy clichés to the curb ... Jellyfish-style pop layered with Brian Wilsonesque vocals co-mingle with complexity that beckons the prog association. Dale Turner is a prodigious, inventive and very special musical talent."
• ALL ACCESS MAGAZINE says: "A rich cocktail of differing textures, aural delights, interesting instrumentation, and quirky vocal arrangements. A remarkable and inspiring effort on all fronts. D-I-Y Musicians take note; Turner will teach you a thing or two."
• INDIE MUSIC DIGEST calls it “Musical brilliance. Highly original, creative, extremely melodic, and unpredictable as hell. If you’re looking for a tripped out musical experience ... jump head first into Mannerisms Magnified.”
• MUSIC WEB EXPRESS calls Dale: "A multi-talented yet quite eclectic composer/guitarist who never fails to take a hard left turn ... Mannerisms Magnified takes rock music in a daring new direction ... You'd never guess it was all one person doing it all."
• ALTSOUNDS says: "Dale Turner is an inspiration in every sense of the word ... A true mad scientist at work ... If Radiohead was making music in the 70’s with Mike Patton helping on vocals, this may be what would have been heard ... This one-man-band is a one-man-force to be reckoned with."
• PROGRESSION MAGAZINE calls Mannerisms Magnified: "A varied mix of clever rock and pop, with a progressive edge. A very personal album. Dale Turner certainly would qualify as a musical 'renaissance man.'"
• TARGET AUDIENCE MAGAZINE says: "This ROCKS! Quality music ... diverse/original/catchy ... Dale Turner does SO MUCH on his own ... a shoe-in for our indie feature because of what he can teach the rest of us starving artists."
• I AM ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE says: "Awesomelyuniquelyamazing (one word)! This is not for the music lover who likes to hear the typical repetitive Pop song ... Dale borders the line of musical genius."
• G3 MAGAZINE says: "Technical finesse will appeal to the intellect, while emotion to the heart ... Dale Turner is a much-needed breath of fresh air."
• CHARTATTACK calls Mannerisms Magnified: "A singer-songwriter ... debut album ... full of acoustic guitar virtuoso techniques."
• ROCK N' ROLL VIEW calls it: "Thought-provoking melodic rock in the vein of Mr. Bungle, Queen, and Frank Zappa ... packed to the hilt with amazing creativity, captivating subject matter, unpredictability [and] high adrenalin vocal delivery."
• MUZIKREVIEWS.COM says: "What is there not to like about this incredible one-man show? If you like rock and pop like Queen or The Beatles this guy is no brainer. Excellent music from top to bottom."
• MUSIC EMISSIONS says, of Mannerisms Magnified: "Someone once said that there was a fine line between genius and insanity. This feels like the work of a genius, but I can't help thinking I've witnessed elements of the insane at the same time!"
• INDEPENDENT MUSIC PROMOTIONS likens Dale to "A musical Salvador Dali." Adding that "Mannerisms Magnified comfortably borders on masterpiece territory ... Smart, catchy and sophisticated with dark undertones and 'down the rabbithole' surprises around every corner."
• ROUGH EDGE says: "When you've got a stack of 100+ CDs on your desk and too many of them sound alike, the occasional surprise--like Dale Turner's Mannerisms Magnified--is a much-needed breath of fresh air. Unique, exciting and delightful ... it gets better with each listen. Its originality shines."
• BIG SMILE MAGAZINE says: "As I pressed play for the first track, I was blown away. This album is nothing you have experienced. And the experience is not easily put into words. Not one song could fit into a genre category... Take the journey with Dale Turner and open your mind. Enjoy the ride."
• STRUM MAGAZINE says: "Dale Turner has one of those voices to which the ear is just naturally drawn."
• MUSE'S MUSE says: "Truly brilliant vocal harmonies. Turner’s voice ... will remind you of classic Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) and Jeff Buckley, yet has a signature all its own that transcends [being] pigeonholed."
• SKOPE MAG says: "A fresh & original piece of work here ... You really never know what to expect from track to track—some beyond-weird voice effects, unorthodox mode of tempos ... Get ready to hear something unique."
• INDEPENDENT MUSIC AND MEDIA calls Dale: "A true visionary ... who really gives meaning to the word 'independent.' There is a lot to be said about a man that forges his own destiny ... who has the audacity to take on any idea his mind can conjure up. A true one-man band."
• BLUESBUNNY (U.K.) says: "A mixed bag of musical treats ... colourful vocal delivery and precise instrumentation ... evokes thoughts of Mr. Bungle ... Fans of Mike Patton should perhaps take interest."
• ELITE VETERANS OF ROCK says: "Dale Turner is one of this decade's finest singers. This guy is fearless! A first class recording."
• GUITARINSTRUCTOR.COM calls Dale: "An ace guitarist with a vast stylistic palette."
• JUNIOR'S CAVE says: "If you are looking for something in music that dares to be original, then the music of Dale Turner fits the bill."
• TAXI.COM says: "Inspired and sophisticated. A distinctive style with quirky, inventive imagery and unexpected dissonance, unusual arrangements and a jazz/prog rock-influenced phrasing. An overall showcase of obvious talent on display."
• MUTANTMALL.COM says: "The first time I listened to [Mannerisms Magnified], I was frozen in time and space as it took over my mind. I forgot where I was. Dale's music is complex, tricky, and unusual ... yet ... at the core, you can't escape the beautiful vocal melodies and well-crafted acoustic guitar. It's alive, like music should be." (Carl King, a.k.a. Sir Millard Mulch, a.k.a. Dr. Zoltan Øbelisk)
• CRASHING SYMBOLS says: "At track two ["Bad Seed"] I feel as if I've started listening to the late Jeff Buckley's GRACE. It's not so much the way Turner softly but effectively vocalizes, but even the intricate, mellow guitar work that so hauntingly marked "Grace" and "Last Goodbye" are apparent here. This isn't a case of an artist simply imitating Buckley, but rather showcasing his passion for such an influence."
• INDIESHARK says: “This guy is a musical genius who locked himself away for a few years to deliver you this catalogue of music. It's highly worth an hour of your time to peer into Turner's world.”
While the focus of this 12-song collection is clearly "presentation of songcraft," MANNERISMS MAGNIFIED is heavily propelled by Turner's nuanced fretwork (acoustic and electric guitar influences that include the aforementioned Buckley and Smith, along with Steve Morse, Tommy Emmanuel, John Frusciante, Ani DiFranco, Ty Tabor, Andrew York, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck—many of whom Turner has had the privilege of conducting interviews/private lessons with at his former "job") and wide-ranging vocal approaches (from eerie whispers, dreamy falsetto, and stunningly-intricate harmonies, to full-throttle rock wails, cartoon-like voices, and throat singing effects).
Over a decade ago, various hand injuries (Carpal Tunnel and Tendinitis, among others) prompted Turner to abandon various aspects of his guitar style (fast playing, most string bends, and certain other aggressive fret-hand moves) and focus intensively on songcraft, morph his six-string statements into something more orchestral/piano-like, as well as develop his varied vocal interests. This first resulted in 2004's INTERPRETATIONS (a live guitar-and-vocal only covers album done as a tribute to Jeff Buckley). On the all-original MANNERISMS MAGNIFIED, all songs (with the exception of the multi-tracked a cappella opening cut, and Brian Wilson homage, "Brian on the Brain") still feature acoustic guitar and voice as their foundation (the manner in which Turner currently performs them live, as a solo act), but have been augmented in the recording process with Turner's subtly unorthodox drumming (influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith, Steve Smith, and Stewart Copeland), linear-yet-supportive bass playing (influenced by Flea, Jaco Pastorius, and Carol Kaye), and, of course, Turner's vast array of electric guitar sounds. Add to that, Turner's piano, mandolin, and accordion touches on select cuts—and the fact that virtually any other “instrument” heard is actually a vocal sound (think: Mike Patton meets Bobby McFerrin meets Raul Midon)—and you get a hint of the unpredictable, yet highly-musical listening experience this 42-minute sonic journey offers.
Though MANNERISMS MAGNIFIED contains its share of humorous moments in the lyrics department (comedy which Turner claims inspiration from Dr. Seuss, Tom Lehrer, George Carlin, Bill Maher, and David Cross), the majority of songs deal with serious subjects—things Turner feels strongly about, like religion, women/women's rights, racism, child abduction/abuse, death/suicide, gay rights, chemical dependency, and various types of social/psychological dysfunction. (Does the world really need another dozen love songs?)
MANNERISMS MAGNIFIED was initially mixed on a Power Mac G4 by Dale Turner, then remixed (from stems) through vintage/modern analog gear by sonic wizard Robert Wawoe. Mastered by Eddy Schreyer (Jon Brion, Fiona Apple, Take 6, Korn, Queen) at Oasis Mastering.
CD/DigiPak includes original art/illustrations and complete lyrics booklet.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
The former West Coast Editor (1996-2007) of the now defunct Guitar One magazine, in addition to working as a performing/recording musician and producing engineer, Dale Turner is an instructor at Hollywood’s Musician’s Institute (where teaches Jimi Hendrix-style rhythm guitar improvisation, music theory/ear training, sight-reading, and rhythmic independence for the singing guitarist), and author of 50+ instructional books/transcription folios (his latest being Power Plucking - A Rocker’s Guide to Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar). He also writes a monthly acoustic guitar column for Guitar World magazine, and is featured in their Lick of the Day App. for iPhone/iPad.
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