Dolbro Dan is a 23 year old singer-songwriter from Bangor. Citing influences such as Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Idlewild, Mudhoney and the Beach Boys, his debut album was recently released on DIY label 'Grab It & Run'. Lyrically direct and musically stripped-down, 'Singin' Homemade Music' is a collection of 12 songs that evoke the spirit of 60's and 70's folk-rock music.
For the most part this is an album delivered via the simple but effective vocal-acoustic-harmonica combo. A couple of songs feature full rock band arrangements, but even in these cases the arrangements are kept sparse, with no distorted guitars, and the focus remains primarily on the vocals and the songs themselves. This was a wise decision, as it not only works well aesthetically with the 'Homemade Music' concept but it also plays to Dan's strengths, as it allows his powerful vocals to dominate and take centre-stage.
Although undoubtedly influenced by an array of different artists, the one that comes across the strongest is Bob Dylan. Whilst such comparisons are unavoidable when singing of discontent, strumming a few chords and playing harmonica, this is music directly influenced by the songwriting powerhouse, not plagiarised from him. And although the approach and attitude of Dylan is present in Dan's work, this can largely be seen as a musical template rather than the means to an end. The big difference however is in the vocals. With his warm baritone range, Dan bears more of a resemblance to a young Mark Lanegan than Dylan, and like both these artists his songs are centred around chord sequences and strong vocal arrangements. And although this is quite a mellow album, the grunge and punk influences do come through in the lyrics. The subtly humourous, sometimes satirical and often barbed wordplay is undoubtedly a product of post-1977 musical output, and deals often with contemporary issues.
For the most part this is an album delivered via the simple but effective vocal-acoustic-harmonica combo. A couple of songs feature full rock band arrangements, but even in these cases the arrangements are kept sparse, with no distorted guitars, and the focus remains primarily on the vocals and the songs themselves. This was a wise decision, as it not only works well aesthetically with the 'Homemade Music' concept but it also plays to Dan's strengths, as it allows his powerful vocals to dominate and take centre-stage.
Although undoubtedly influenced by an array of different artists, the one that comes across the strongest is Bob Dylan. Whilst such comparisons are unavoidable when singing of discontent, strumming a few chords and playing harmonica, this is music directly influenced by the songwriting powerhouse, not plagiarised from him. And although the approach and attitude of Dylan is present in Dan's work, this can largely be seen as a musical template rather than the means to an end. The big difference however is in the vocals. With his warm baritone range, Dan bears more of a resemblance to a young Mark Lanegan than Dylan, and like both these artists his songs are centred around chord sequences and strong vocal arrangements. And although this is quite a mellow album, the grunge and punk influences do come through in the lyrics. The subtly humourous, sometimes satirical and often barbed wordplay is undoubtedly a product of post-1977 musical output, and deals often with contemporary issues.
A number of songs cover well-worn territory for the budding singer-songwriter - 'Silver Clouds', 'Morning Train' and 'A Three Chord Song' are confessional and intimate compositions that pull off the trick of being funny, melancholy and optimistic all at the same time. Others, such as 'Cold Shoulder Blues' and 'Public Nuisance Blues' offer lighter moments and amusing anecdotes, the latter telling the story of an unsuccessful busking session cut short by an unsympathetic authority figure. And on the hilariously sardonic 'When Bob Was Still A Boy', Dan expresses his disappointment with the state of the modern music industry, globalisation and predicts an Orwellian future where “all smokers will be shot on sight”.
All in all, this is an accomplished collection of songs. Clocking in at the traditional length of 45 minutes, the album never overstays its welcome, and remains a consistently interesting and enjoyable listen throughout. There is enough variety in musical presentation and mood to keep things lively and there are even a few tracks that sound distinctly radio-friendly. Already finding praise from the likes of Gerry Anderson and George Jones, Dolbro Dan may yet find a larger audience than in the small but vibrant local music scene. What the casual music listener will make of his self-styled homemade music is anyone's guess, but his songwriting, his voice and his ear for a good melody alone should ensure a favourable reception from most people. A consistently strong debut release, 'Singin' Homemade Music' is well worth a look for anyone with an interest in the singer-songwriter genre.
'Singin' Homemade Music' is available now from Dolbro Dan's Myspace page for £6, which includes P&P in the U.K.All in all, this is an accomplished collection of songs. Clocking in at the traditional length of 45 minutes, the album never overstays its welcome, and remains a consistently interesting and enjoyable listen throughout. There is enough variety in musical presentation and mood to keep things lively and there are even a few tracks that sound distinctly radio-friendly. Already finding praise from the likes of Gerry Anderson and George Jones, Dolbro Dan may yet find a larger audience than in the small but vibrant local music scene. What the casual music listener will make of his self-styled homemade music is anyone's guess, but his songwriting, his voice and his ear for a good melody alone should ensure a favourable reception from most people. A consistently strong debut release, 'Singin' Homemade Music' is well worth a look for anyone with an interest in the singer-songwriter genre.
http://www.myspace.com/dolbrodan/
Dolbro Dan - 'Catch The Wind' (Donovan Cover)
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