Showing posts with label dawes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dawes. Show all posts
, , , — 0 comments

Album Review: Dawes - Stories Don't End


California based folk-rock band Dawes has enticed an ever growing fan base through the group’s descriptive narrative on life and classic rock sound that intriguingly has a modern appeal. With this being the first album since the group’s departure from ATO Records members Taylor Goldsmith (lead vocalist), Tay Strathairn (keyboard), Wylie Gelber (bass), and Griffin Goldsmith (drums) decided to retreat into the BlueRidge Mountains of North Carolina to create their third record. The newest album, Stories Don’t End, has shaped itself to be a real contender for mass appeal with its artfully crafted lyrics and vast array of eclectic sounds.

The predominant lyricist Taylor Goldsmith crafts together veiled everyday tasks and the art of storytelling for lyrics that consciously connect with his audience. Most of his words are manifested with a clear, concise prose that often takes the form of unconventionally long sentences. Somehow it blends together favorably, especially in the song "Something in Common" where the lyrics express Goldsmith’s struggle to coalesce all the different aspects of his character.

 The first track to be released entitled "From a Window Seat" outlines a passenger’s experience on an airplane as they calmly drift into a daydream. Piano keys elevate in an uplifting rhythm and the brash drumbeat showcases the band’s continual development as a group while staying true to their classic sound. This song also sparked the band’s unique social media integration as they encouraged fans to tweet pictures looking out a window as they crossed international borders in both cars and planes.

 Among the other notable tracks on Stories Don’t End is the opening track "Just Beneath the Surface," which is about repressing our past self and come to grips with our current self. It features gentle strains of Goldsmith’s vocals that compliment the soulful approach the song encompasses. "Just My Luck" offers the band’s truest approach at composition and showcases their closest attempt at offering a revival to the classics. Fundamentally, this album isn’t for everyone as it does come across quite slow and simply boring at select times, but there is an abundance of tracks that offer both an insight into the world we live in and catchy instrumentals. 

Grade: B+




, , , , — 1 comments

Know Your Opener: Dawes


Although the big news about tonight is that Bob Dylan is playing at UB’s Alumni Arena, his opener is equally exciting, and certainly not one to miss. Dawes, an American rock band straight out of Los Angeles, will take the stage at 7:30 PM and bestow upon all the lucky audience members the modern folk rock for which they’re famous.

Dawes isn’t the kind of opener that gives you an excuse to stand at the bar until the big name act comes on. Dawes is a big name act, having shared the stage with everyone from Mumford and Sons to Levon Helm. Don’t let their resume fool you, though. They’re extremely humble; of being asked to open for Dylan, all lead singer Taylor Goldsmith had to say was, “Thanks.” The band’s modest attitude complements their unpretentious sound, which will only whet the Dylan-hungry crowd’s musical appetite.

Tonight's show is sold out to the public, but the first 4,500 UB undergrad students will be admitted for free with a valid student ID. Doors open at 6:30 PM.



~Sarah Machajewski
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)