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: : DR2 : :
I’m not sure what to think of this album. Either it is incredibly brilliant or quite
the opposite. Since it did not grab me, I find myself thinking it was a little
misdirected. Like its title, this one takes a detour right from the beginning.
We are the passengers on this wild ride. The driver chooses to take an alternate
dirt road over a smooth reliable surface. The suspension needs some tweaking. We are
feeling every welt in our path. Believe me, there are almost too many to count.
The compositions are similar to Planet X, but the songs tend to go the way of Rock
in Opposition (RIO). Many times the music veers off the road just for fun snagging
brush in the process.
The music is purely instrumental, which consists of a drum set along with various
synthetic devices. The songs are intriguing, often whimsical in nature. Something
tells me Hal Darling has a sense of humor. Reading the liner notes and track
listing, it becomes apparent his humor is somewhat obscure. This might explain the
motivation behind the music.
“Rope of Sand,” has some pleasant parts and a good rhythm, but it is a short one.
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track, “Run,” shows the most restraint. It gives the listener a chance to catch
their breath. The bells on the dreamcatcher dangle from the rear view mirror on this
one while light raindrops pitter-patter on the rooftop. This song is in a different
category than the rest. However, it still manages to get out of gear before reaching
the closing notes.
This must be the calm before the storm as the following track, “Dog Dreams,” gets
quite jarring. A whirlwind beats against the frame causing the vehicle to skid out
of control. In the tracks to follow, wild diversions remind us that the storm is the
one doing the chasing.
This music is not for everyone. I will concede it is intriguing and different. I
played through it more than once in order to give it a chance. I tried to determine
if there was something in the mudded-up concoction that one could grasp. I didn’t
even know where to begin. At best, it is listenable.
I’m sure there is somebody out there that will dig the wackiness of it. Who they
might this be, I have no idea.
Rating: 4.75 out of 10 Stars
Reviewer: Josh Turner
: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
Darling – 1996
D2R - 2003 |
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