All it takes is 3 chords and a dream!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Review: Dali Rocket - Incessant Love Tribunal


Dali Rocket - Incessant Love Tribunal
2008, Dali Rocket


Incessant Love Tribunal opens with The Death Of Dali, an acoustic guitar based piece with some of the most gorgeously ethereal vocal harmonies you'll hear in 2008. The song meanders through the first three minutes before breaking into a bass-led polarization reminiscent of the Barenaked Ladies The Great Provider. The vocalist sounds a fair amount like Jian Ghomeshi of Moxy Fruvous, and the overall mood is mellow drama with an insurgent energy just beneath the surface. Palm Full Of Stars opens with a series of synth overlays and effects that resolve into Michael Hedges style acoustic guitar work. Impositions is a snappy little quasi-acoustic pop song with a funky spirit and unforgettable chorus.

Veil Vale Vail is full of a relentless inner life that displays itself in contrapuntal rhythms and some generally dazzling acoustic guitar work. Walking Meditation carries on in a spirited manner, and is my favorite song on Incessant Love Tribunal. It's one of the happiest breakup songs you'll ever hear, and may be one of the best pure pop songs of the year. Other highlights include the Rush styled Quest For Quintessence, Michigan Morning II and the title track (which is my second favorite song on the disc).

Dali Rocket is highly unusual. This is a band of primo of musicians. The lead vocalist has a gorgeous, clear tenor voice that rises out of the period melancholy or meandering musings like a beacon. The harmonies are stunning as well. Dali Rocket does occasionally get bogged down on Incessant Love Tribunal, but on the whole its a great listening experience. Dali Rocket is a band with significant potential for both commercial success and a significant musical legacy.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn a little more about Dali Rocket at www.myspace.com/dalirocket. You can purchase a copy of Incessant Love Tribunal at www.cdbaby.com/cd/dalirocket.

No comments: