Mmm, mmm, mmm. Upon first look, you may act smug and immediately dismiss this as an all-too-common, shabby, wannabe EP. You know the type, one of the many bands that attempts to sound like the newest mainstream album. A bunch of 14-year-olds pooling together in an attempt to "make it big," Fortunately, upon first listen, you realize it's much more than that. 5 songs. One band. Lots of fun. From the first song to the last, this is an enjoyable, catchy listen. Everything's stupendous, nothing's inadequate. It's no wonder these guys are signed to the (thus far) amazing - and flawless - swsmusic label.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Daniel Taylor—whose voice typically draws comparisons to Bob Mould (of Hüsker Dü and later of Sugar), has played with Path Of Allyson, Dimmerswitch, Exeter Flud, Translucent, and Henry-Sam-Ocean. Last year Taylor went solo as DarlingD and put out an EP titled Trip To Electronica Land. He has now followed it up with The Fallout EP, available since August from online retailer CD Baby, in anticipation of his first full length slated for release later this year on Marietta’s swsmusic.  Though it’s not particularly musically adventurous, I nonetheless find The Fallout EP a startling discovery because of the outright excellence of these songs coming out of nowhere from an unsigned artist—not to mention Taylor’s heartfelt, raw, and sublime singing. It’s an intriguing glimpse into an as-yet undiscovered songwriter’s potential. I’m playing it a lot and wholeheartedly recommend you check it out. 

                            Read more...
                        

                            
Darlingd is a solo project, yet the music on this disc sounds as if it could be from a tightly packaged modern rock group. The songs presented here are practically flawless, the perfect blend of angst-rock guitars and emotion-drenched vocals built on a solid base of power pop. Mr. darlingd's voice has a round and empathetic tone, one which grips the attention and doesn't let go. If it were lower and a little more harsh, it would almost resemble the voice of Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies. 

The disc begins with the title track, filled with edgy guitar riffs which are juxtaposed against darlingd's nonchalant vocal delivery. "Mistake" toys with a pseudo drum-n-bass groove, which accelerates into a chorus of driving power chords. The true creative side of darlingd shows up in "Around Again," a beautifully hazy tune that seems to float weightlessly above its piano lines and acoustic guitar strums. It is by far the best song on the EP, showcasing a songwriting ability which runs deep, separating darlingd from the rest of the modern rock pack. 

                            Read more...