Dawes – Passwords Reaction

2.5

Stars

iTunes

Can rock and roll, and music in general, be the harbinger of peace and reconciliation? That’s the question Dawes seem to be asking on Passwords. An album surprisingly political (at least cultural) as they speak of our great cultural divide, and in lesser terms romantic divides, and tries to find understanding and common ground on which we can come together on. Now they don’t explicitly take sides or speak to direct points of contention but it’s obvious, and it’s admirable; it’s just not all that exciting. Tracks drag on well past 5 minutes and they struggle to remain interesting with such a dull backdrop playing in the background. The few tracks that do spice things up a bit (“Stay Down” and “Feed The Fire”) are welcome reprieves but not enough to liven up what’s an otherwise sterile listen.

1

Father John Misty – God’s Favorite Customer Reaction

The fact that Father John Misty can carry such a musically stripped down album with not much more than his vocals and some superb songwriting should say it all. It's a stand out.

4.5

Stars

iTunes

2

Ray LaMontagne – Part of the Light Reaction

Many folk records can feel a bit too one note at times, but not this one, Ray LaMontagne gives you everything from slow, country ballads, to the raucous and almost psych and metal-like, and his incredible vocals have no trouble playing to everything.

4

Stars

iTunes

3

David Byrne – American Utopia Reaction

David Byrne has always been pleasantly weird and experimental and he once again tries to push the musical envelope. What results from that sincere push is at best, a mess however. It's a mash up of different sounds and influences that, when it works, can be refreshing and exhilarating, but those moments are far too often undercut by clunky breakdowns and unnecessary introductions of new elements.

2.8

Stars

iTunes

Ignoring all of the remedies
Believing all of the rumors
With their endless database
I wanna sit with my enemies
And say, “We should have done this sooner”

– “Crack the Case”

See also

Music

D.C.’s Indie Pop Duo Glosser Releases Their New EP ‘Angel Dust’

Editorial Team

Have you heard Passwords? What’d you think of it? Did you find it as dull as I did? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave your own ratings and reactions for the album.

Dawes – Passwords Reaction

Conclusion

Dawes' album is surprisingly political (at least cultural) as they speak of our great cultural divide, and in lesser terms romantic divides, and tries to find understanding and common ground on which we can come together on. It's admirable, it's just not all that exciting.

Fuego!!!

Feed The Fire

Stay Down

Crack the Case

2.5

Stars

iTunes