Steven"Dandy"Brown
first appeared on my radar as bass player and founding member of Hermano with
their debut, Only A Suggestion, in 2002. Although I have followed that
band since then, Dandy has been more in my focus as a producer than anything
else. So when the opportunity arose to listen to 'Damned To The Heels Of
Success', his new solo album, I was all game. After all, it's been a while
since I had listened to anything he has been involved in as a musician, and I
am glad I didn't decline the offer. What Dandy has written and recorded is one
of the best albums of 2014! I kid you not waveriders, so read on as I try to
give this wax the credit it deserves.
Not really knowing what
to expect when I pressed played the first time, what came out of the speakers
absolutely floored me. Maybe I did anticipate a touch of Hermano and stoner
rock in general, but the only hint of that is a desert ambience floating in the
background. Instead, as Dandy unleashes his magic, an excellent blend of Chris
Goss fronting a plugged-in version of Neil Young playing an open-air concert
under a dusk desert sky emanates, and it's so beautiful!
A stripped down
minimalistic affair, Dandy paints wonderful images on a vast canvas with his
haunted, tormented voice accompanied by dreamy and caressing tunes. Going for
emotions and feelings instead of shocking riffs works wonders, as the
quartet elegantly cements their prowess and ever-growing status as giants.
True, this is a Dandy Brown solo release but the band he has assembled is
phenomenal. Backed by Mark Engel, guitar, Tony Mason, bass guitar, and Jamie
Correa, drums, Dandy joins in playing both guitar and bass guitar and singing his
heart out. And it is in the singing where the biggest influence of Chris Goss
and Neil Young appears. Check out 'Have Mercy', 'The Swimmer' and 'I
Can't Fly' for instance. To me, those are three excellent songs Young
wishes he would have written and recorded. The same applies for 'When Satan Is Cool', 'Lullaby' and
'Daughter Song', songs Chris Goss could only
dream of writing for Master Of Reality.
Don't get me wrong now
thinking 'Damned To The Heels Of Success' is a copycat recording. Quite
contrary in fact, it is as far removed from that as possible. What Dandy has
excelled in is infusing these influences with his own great ideas, creating a
monster of an album in the process. I mean if you don't get hooked by the
opening trio of 'I'll Be Damned', 'Santa Fe Trail' and 'Daughter
Song', I truly don't know what is wrong with you. The path Dandy has staked
out for himself and his band is one of absolute greatness, and I can't wait to
see the impact this release will have. Whatever happens, this masterpiece will
keep me happy and elated for a long, long time.
There is not much left to
tell, waveriders...other than get your hands on this one. It doesn't get much
better than this, you hear?!?! Amazing, truly amazing!
- Swedebeast
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