SEAN MICHAEL DARGAN: The Big Picture

Sean Michael Dargan

The Big Picture

© 2005 Sean Michael Dargan (783707054803)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

SPECIAL: 10% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

stylish & tall original guitar pop

notes

Sean Michael Dargan is almost too tall, standing six feet, four inches in his favorite black-and-white saddle shoes. His penchant for two-tone footwear and bow ties dates back to high school, although the nuns at Saint Camillus Catholic School say there were obvious signs as early as fourth grade.

These fashion choices left Sean with very few dates during his formative years, so he had ample time to practice his guitar playing, singing and songwriting -- passions he acquired after leaving behind his highland bagpipes, much to the delight of the entire neighborhood. After much research, Sean realized that guitars could be plugged into amplifiers, making them even louder than bagpipes; the neighbors again put their hands over their ears, but this time their toes were tapping.

Cut forward to 2005: Sean Michael Dargan is the proud parent of a brand-new album, "The Big Picture" released on his Madison, Wisconsin-based Slightly Charred Records label. "The Big Picture," Dargan's third album, comes a scant eight years after his second, eponymous album, leading many fans and not a few noted music critics to muse quietly to themselves, "What the hell took so long?"

Sean wonders if those fans and critics kiss their mothers with those dirty mouths. He then points out that even the Beatles took some time off after "Let It Be," so maybe everybody ought to just calm down and listen to the new album instead of getting' up in his grill about the word "tardy" and it's many possible definitions.

Fortunately for Dargan, the new album is really quite good, with a palette of twelve delicious new songs penned by Dargan, and one fine tune by his old school chum, NYC alt-country mainstay Chris Bonner. The record springs to life with the opener "A Note from the Heartland," a relentless, up-tempo, true-story rocker in glorious three-part harmony. The album then holds you close for forty minutes, tucking you in gently at the end with "You're the One," a gauzy, lilting ballad that features those same highland bagpipes that we thought we'd escaped back in the second paragraph.

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Makes Me Want More
    author: DJ

    Came across the CD at random and really liked the lyrics. Sounds a lot better offline (obviously), but the passion is really clear. Makes me want to find out how to get the first CD. Is this a big secret?

  • If I was stranded on a desert island with just 3 CDs...
    author: Ed Schwitzky

    Although it was a very long time between CDs, The Big Picture was absolutely worth The Big Wait! And now that I know where Sean is living and playing his music, my wife and I are planning a trip to Madison this summer.

  • AWESOME!
    author: PamB

    Heartfelt and soulful. I already know I will re-listen to this CD for many years to come. Enjoyed the pictures, since they ARE a part of The Big Picture.

  • Exquisite
    author: Brian S

    You can tell SMD spent some time on this one. The writing, playing, singing, mixing, recording... it all comes out smooth as silk. Roll down the windows, enjoy life, and crank it up. You'll please every ped you pass.

  • Great vibe
    author: Danielle

    I was lucky enough to hear this guy jam out when he came to my place of work for the Milw. School of Pipes and Drums. He has such amazing energy that he puts into his singing and music that it's hard not to get hooked. Listened to his c.d. and absolutely loved it. Keep up the good work! -D

  • The Joy of Sonic Discovery
    author: Lori Skelton

    Remember the first time you had your hands on a musical instrument and you couldn't sound the notes fast enough; so enthralled with what you were hearing, that it all sounded revelatory? If you're lucky, you never lose the sheer joy of hearing stuff. Sean Michael Dargan is lucky, as well as disgustingly talented. With "Picture," SMD is letting all of us in on the party in his head; a variety of song styles splashed through with inventive sonic color combinations. There is no apologizing for honest emotion, bitter as well as sweet...and who knew bagpipes are the perfect way to underscore a love song? You can almost imagine yourself sitting next to Sean in the studio, as he happily pulls up and fiddles with track after track. "Check this out!" is this CD's mantra. Check, indeed!

  • Tight and consistent... wow.
    author: Hugh McAloon

    Tight. Consistent. Catchy. These are words that describe SMD's The Big Picture. You know an album's good when you find the songs... that's right, the *songs*, not just a single... running through your head at odd times throughout the day. I can't get "One Step Back" or "Eyes Full of Christmas" out of my head. And it doesn't bother me one bit. I've listened to this album several times over the past few days, and each time I hear something I hadn't noticed before in every song. Yes, *every* song. I can't say that about many albums. Another reviewer mentioned the production value. I'll take The Velvet Underground's Nicco and any Robert Johnson album over a super-polished type like Ashlee Simpson or Milli Vanilli any day. It's all about the lyric and musical content, and The Big Picture is tops where it counts.

  • best album yet
    author: irwin

    I like the mix on the album as the music doesn’t get in the way of the lyrics. Nice guitar solos through out the album. And birddog did a nice lick too. 2nd track is the best track on da album, or at least my favorite. Really got the mix going on too in the transitions. This chart ought to get some air time for sure. I have heard it about 4 times in a row now. Really grows on ya. I really like the opening on the 3rd track as it eases in and builds. Gots a nice R/B feel under da 60s rock. Really good vocals and harmony. Just rolls along don’t it. A very listenable album that shows a lot of song diversity.

  • sticky pop songs that you're compelled to hum
    author: gandarva

    Great pop songwriting and singing. excellent performer and a very cool guy. this is his first 'home' recorded album. Some of the rough edges show in production quality, drum recording, and editing but overall a very creative effort.

  • me like record it is good
    author: CJB

    Yeah, I would only recommend this album if you like peerless songwriting and music that will have you weeping one minute and then cranking up to neighbor-annoying volumes the next minute. This album is an astonishingly solid piece of work -- you know, the kind of solid that "Skylarking" and "OK Computer" are. Not the same style, of course, but "The Big Picture," very much like those other two albums, moved into my life one day and they never left. Always something new to love every time you listen. Enjoy.

  • The Big Picture Is a wonderful mix of pop rock n roll and heart felt emotion.
    author: Matthew T Ledger

    The Big Picture is a wonderful mix of pop rock n roll and heartfelt emotion. Sean Michael Dargan has a real gift for writting lyrics that are smart and are right on time giving your ear a mix of rich singing voice and unpredictable verse. The Big picture is full of great music. As in his other albums smd. is no stanger to the guitar. He has a seasoned yet fresh ability to play.

  • Fun for the entire family!
    author: POP

    Talk about musical variety -- this album has a song to please everyone in the family. Just on the strength of the first six tracks alone, The Big Picture comes off as a much more mature record than SMD's last disc (not to take anything away from that album). I like the modern groove of "Paint a Target," the alt.country leanings of the title track, the roots-rock familiarity of "Before the War," and the slow burn of "Headed Back Out To Sea." SMD even shows off his proficiency on the bagpipes on the sweet-sounding closer "You're the One." This is fun ...

  • Buy This Disk
    author: Paul

    Music lovers, The Big Picture has it all. The tunes cover the full tempo spectrum from rockers to ballads. A crack band of musicians fill you ears with pop rock guitars and backbeat, rounded out with horns, keyboards, strings and bagpipes. The lyrics are smart and from the heart of a guy who is well-beyond teen angst and well-before angry old man...he's right in life's sweet spot to write these songs. Start to finish, this is an excellent album you are sure to enjoy.

  • smd. Rocks!!
    author: JudyB

    Best yet. Love the packaging and pics. Love the mixture - especially "You're the One" and "Ride for the Roses."

  • heart-on-your-sleeve, eclectic & lyrically adept indy guitar pop
    author: Radio Free Eric

    5 stars? Yes! Homegrown indy label recordings....meet your new benchmark, "The Big Picture". A stellar recording with a bevy of exceptional "sconi" artists in tow. Smart lyrics, guitars ranging from grunge to neo-classic. You can sense the songs have been polished and perfected through several years of live performances...and it shows. Standouts are tracks 2, 5, 8, 9 and 11. "You're the One" will make your girlfriend get misty-eyed. Buy this record! Better yet, catch SMD live if you can...he will not disappoint!

  • Easy Jammin' for a live bar gig or a weekend road trip
    author: RAD

    Clear harmonies, fresh harmonica, sax and bagpipes above pleasing chord progressions,latin and sometimes folk-inspired pop beats with rap-the-steering-wheel 80s-flavored guitar jamming. The title track is a solid, moving arrangement and the grungy Paint a Target is just plain cool.

email

Please log in to email this artist.