Leave Your Name,
StatisticsUsually, Denver Dalley is the guitarist of Saddle Creek Records indie rock outfit, Desaparecidos. But as is becoming increasingly fashionable, the six-stringer is not content with one musical outlet to pour out his soul and has decided to embark upon a career as a solo artist too. This record, out on the emotastic Jade Tree label, is the sum of Dalley's tortured mind - a record which goes lengths to expose just how much he clearly loves his art. 'Leave Your Name' is entirely Dalley's handywork - all of the buzzing and breathy vocals are his own, making it feel even warmer in your hands. The craft and vision on offer is exceptional and you feel like a heart and soul really was put into this.
But is emotion always good enough to convert even the most hardened of musical hacks? Dalley clearly doesn't care, with 'Sing A Song' penned towards all the wannabe writers: "The critics take their pens / Comparisons made in names / Dropped in all bold face / To sound like his best friends," he snarls. So I guess he won't like all of what I have to say. Because while there's nothing inherently wrong with this full-lengther, I just cannot take more than short bursts. As a whole it's a good record, but there's something within the depths of its belly that annoys me. 'The Grass is Always Greener' and 'Reminisce' have sweeping guitars and atmospherics that combine weaving basslines and as many electro sounds as you can handle, but on too many occasions the lyrics appear to have been left to the last minute, with poor rhymes and structures.
The fact of the matter is, will kids get into Statistics because it's a great record or will they get into the band because of the other bands Mr Dalley has worked on? I'm not so sure there's enough here to suggest many new listeners will welcome 'Leave Your Name' into their hearts. Sure, the musicianship is excellent and there's a courage and emotiveness that sticks out, but for me it's not enough to warrant repeat plays. Good but not great would be a snappier way of concluding; it's a record that will appeal to fans of Dalley and Jade Tree, but outside of that and you may struggle.
Paul
