Black Daniel: Hard Times On the Way
Monday, 25 Aug 2008 12:27
Black Daniel: Hard Times On the Way
Pieces of Eight Records, out now.
In a nutshell...
Fun and fuzzy debut from London synth rock trio.
What's it all about?
Black Daniel are the latest new wave product to hit London's music scene. Drawing influences from post-punk legends the Fall, New York hipsters the Rapture and a variety of 80s synth-pop, transatlantic-trio Black Daniel's debut album Hard Times on the Way is the first release on the Dustbowl Recordings label.
Who's it by?
South London siblings Liam and Luke May with American frontman Craig Lewis Higgins, who they met in a New York nightclub.
As an example...
"There's a certain respect that lies within rats, cockroaches and pigeons/They live forever/ Lobster is the cockroach of the sea/They are a delicacy" - Black Daniel serve up a plate of cod-philosophy on Say Hello.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Not in a million years. Black Daniel will find it hard enough not drowning in a sea of other, better, new-wave hipster bands, nevermind taking a stroll up the red carpet anytime soon. Not that I imagine they're that bothered about the Grammys.
What the others say
"Laddish singalong choruses, glam-rock beats and fuzzed-up guitars. - NME
"Dirty, electro-powered rock 'n' roll combined with sleazy New York glam." - Fact
Is it any good?
Ditching proper lyrics in favour of loutish 'nah-nah-nahs' and 'yeah-yeah-yeahs' within 30 seconds of your debut album is always going to suggest that something is amiss creatively. About halfway through Hard Times on the Way, you'll be wishing that Black Daniel resorted to this tactic more often.
Philosophical nuggets such as "I search for you in my sleep/But I'm an insomniac" on Say Hello are of the variety best reserved for pub-talk or ex-girlfriends, while daft references to North Korea and Kim Jong-Il in Hard Times on the Way are certain to raise a few eyebrows.
Style over substance plagues the entire album, with Casio keyboard presets used to such extent they lose what little meaning they ever had, and mind-numbing teach-yourself blues rhythms (ages 8 to 10) appearing on every single track.
Despite the musical failings of Black Daniel, they have in fact created a very effective sleeping aid. It may seem impossible, but they have managed to take the legacies of bands like the Fall and turned them into something capable of boring even the most ardent Shoreditch scenester into submission. If, like singer Craig Lewis Higgins says, he suffers from insomnia, perhaps he should take a listen to his own band's album?
3/10
Daniel Shane
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