They are a talented trio. God knows where they get their inspiration 
(snark). They use quite a few different styles, from 60's folk type tunes 
and harmonies (New Wind and Awaken), to modern metal digs (All Fall Down and 
Building Rainbows). Their tunes are, if I may say so, lyrically 
proscriptive rather than reflective, but clever. They seem to have a 
definite vision and may be able to distill their obvious talents into 
structure and performances that increasingly show off their musical 
abilities.
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This is a cracking CD with bags to recommend it.
Virtual Radio is an extremely enjoyable Cd. It is an hour long, includes a full lyric sheet and Michael's own artwork on the cover.

The instrumentation is mainly guitar, bass and drums but with occasional extra percussion, mandolin and even a sitar moment!

The CD has a demo feel in places, but this rarely interfered with my enjoyment. The songs themselves are complete, lyrically strong and well structured but a tighter production in a few places might have emphasised this, at least on some of them (although the looseness is welcome in most).

The lyrics are experimental, imaginative, often philosophical and always entertaining. The lyric sheet is a welcome feature as they are often worth reading separately from the music (my favourite is 'You made the cover of Time, with an instamatic' from Pretty Automatic.

Several tracks are what you might think of as contenders for singles, being catchy, with strong hooks. These are the tracks I feel could have had a more 'pop-ish' production especially on the drums, which are well played but sound a little flat or muted.

Perfect opener 'I Expect Miracles' is superbly catchy, with quirky lyrics. You are given no choice but to listen on.
Cone of Silence and Octave are top notch, both having a reggae feel, which reminds me of late 70's, early New Wave, perhaps Talking Heads or Tom Robinson with a bit of Dire Straits vocal. This is definitely David Byrne territory and the storytelling delivery made me reach for the included lyric sheet.

New Wind provides a change of pace, still a 70's feel but we are into a Stones/Dylan kind of groove. Loose harmony vocals which work very well. A solid song structure and nice guitar work - loose but accurate. The song gets a little rough at times, but in a charming, good time kind of way - you will sing along!

Dramatic percussion and a phased guitar opening lead into the early Police feel of Pretty Automatic with high naked harmony vocals. Another dub style. Guitar could easily be Andy Summers. A high point.

By Head Music's fuzz guitar opening, I'm starting to give up making comparisons. Truth is you never really know where the band is going to go next and there is usually a smile to be had.

Monkey See, Awaken and Landing's Hard impress, but I felt that All Fall Down suffered from being too loose and Demo-ish. New Man shows a philosophical bent.

One Road is a great pop(ish) toon. Crash Test Dummies come to mind. Better production but could have been even tighter. I especially felt the guitars needed bringing in to line. But by Building Rainbows, which allows the guitarist chance to wig out a bit, but in a Neil Young kind of vein, this minor lack of discipline is forgiven.

Book of Mud rounds off the album in quirky style, back in Talking Heads territory.

I think the band has great potential and some tremendous ideas. I will definitely be playing this over the next few weeks and there aren't many albums nowadays that make me want to return.
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This band plays with real heart and experience. The drumming is amazing.  The song "Landing's Hard" is my favorite.  I would like fewer vocals and more just listening to the great songs.  Hope they do more and let us know where they will be playing next time.  Gudrun from WA
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“You don’t know me, but…”   

You don’t know me but I bought four copies of this album. That’s how good it is. I think I will get some more because I know my friends will enjoy it too.

That may not be much of an endorsement, on the whole.  Then again, I’m not related to ANY of the band. But I still bought four copies. One for home, and one for the car. That’s how good it is. I think I will buy some more because I know my friends will enjoy it too, as much as the friends I have already given copies to.

 I heard the band in a small venue locale in Washington, and had that “I’m blown enough away and having a wonderful evening” even though t’was only a coffee house. People all started dancing in the back. I was worried when I went up to get the albums that they wouldn’t have enough left for me.

When I first heard the instrumental start on Triple Dog Dare’s “Virtual Radio” , I thought, “this sounds a bit like JJ Cale in “Troubadour”. “Miracles Happen”, “Cone Of Silence”, “Book of Mud” and “New Wind” – they start with that textured, sort of rich sound.  

There are some great surprises on this album too, “Head Music” which starts out in that technocool manner and evolves into something else.  “Monkey See” has those simple lyrics, a goofy train of words that begins the piece actually has a destination. 

“Landing’s Hard” is going to make the top 10 some day. “Flying is easy landing’s hard”. You sing along with that one. “One Road” is one of those better ballads; “Building Rainbows” has that deep bass you can’t help but love, like the old rock.

The music stands up better than the vocals in some songs - the vocals sound a bit tentative in spots, and could use more attack; the musical sections seem to sit more securely on Triple Dog Dare so far; but they have nothing to be ashamed of – their lyrics are great. When you have only three musicians creating layers of sound & lyrics – well, it’s pretty amazing when you think about it.

“Book Of Mud” is in the form of a canon, both in lyric & music. You’ll like it and so will kids. 

And the cover art is great!  ~~ Hil Richrod
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