Album Notes

Dan Kibler

Capsule

Big Deal

The world of singer/songwriter Dan Kibler (formerly of El Kabong) is one of striking pop beauty coupled with tea and sympathy catharsis. Capsule, his second solo effort, is a melodic gem of Americana rock following in the tradition of early Jackson Brown, though Kibler's taste for going a little bit country doesn't keep him from coming up with hooks as sharp as those found in the songs of Paul Westerberg. Over the course of these eleven powerful compositions that reflect on life and love, he isn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. The intense, romantic "To Be Loved" is an "act now and ask questions later" anthem to faith in the power of love. "My Girl" recalls the sweet sentiment of Marshall Crenshaw's "Whenever You're on my Mind," heavy on the mush factor, but saved by some nice steel guitar mixed with acoustic strumming. "What'll It Be" describes the bittersweet difficulty of adjusting to post-relationship life in the same small town as your former love. But it's not all "cry in your beer" fuel for the broken hearted. The title cut is a honky-tonk instrumental with the carefree feel of the Alman Brothers "Jessica" spiked with a bit of Juice Newton's "Queen of Hearts." A sassy horn section punctuates one of the record's more upbeat tunes, "You Still Make me Smile," and the exuberant "All Over Now" has Kibler rocking out at full throttle. Lots of good stuff with no complaints from me. Big Deal Records, P.O. Box 2072 Peter Stuyvesant Station, New York NY 10009-9998

--Gail Worley