Daniel is a multi-instrumentalist who played in metal bands and released solo work during his mid-20’s, but stopped about six years ago, with no intention of creating any more music. These songs started off as tunes he would play with his acoustic, sitting on the floor next to his daughter when she was a baby. That was more than three years ago, and part of the reason it took that long is because he performed everything himself with acoustic drums/percussion, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocal and a touch of flute. Of course, the burning question for me was where on earth did the idea come from for the cover? Apparently, Daniel googled worse album covers and went from there, and it certainly fits in with that style, yet also fits in incredibly well with the album as a whole.
Daniel describes the album as a mix between alt country and heavy funk, and it covers a whole series of serious subjects such as turning 30, rediscovering his sexuality, being a responsible adult, getting married, having kids etc. Yet permeating the album is a sense of humour and the knowledge that here is a serious musician, yet he is having a laugh at himself and enjoying what he is doing so everything is completely tongue in cheek. For me the most important instrument on this album is the bass, which has a gorgeous tone while Daniel has an incredibly deft touch, and I could listen to this just on its own. But then he adds so many other styles and one just wonders what is going on. Take Ashtray Grin as an example, for the first 90 seconds it is an absolute delight, then we get some rap which takes it in a different direction and then we get some guitar and bass which shifts it off again. It is an irreverent approach which really works, and the important thing is to never take it all too seriously.
Go To Sleep Chi features an old recording of his daughter talking, and the acoustic guitar and flute which accompanies that part of the song is a delight. Then he turns it into a belter with riffed rock guitar before dropping back into something beautiful. This is an album which defiantly refuses to conform and consequently is out of left field, and to my mind is all the better for it. For people who want their music a little different to the norm.
Rating: 7/10
