We are coming up from Richmond to see the Damnwells.
Who the fuck are the Dan Band and the Fray, and how the
What is it about the Damnwells that appeals?
Their music, to me, is bland, bland, bland. And not in a middle of the road bland but with incredibly written melodies Josh Rouse way. And not in a bland but her voice is as beautiful as she is Norah Jones way. Just bland and uninteresting.
And then you see them. Zero stage presence. The guys are completely ugly, not in an ugly yet interesting to look at ugly kind of way…just a "Hi I'm a dork with an outdated 90's hairstyle" kind of way. And the worst part is their "we think we're good" swagger. When clearly they are not good.
This Popmatters review sums it up well. And I swear, I used the word "BLAND" before I read this review.
At their very best, Brooklyn's the Damnwells are the Replacements. At their worst, they're the Goo Goo Dolls. Unfortunately, they are more often the latter. Sporting a no-nonsense, bass-drums-guitar Americana sound, the Damnwells are just about as bland as a band can get, which might be a good indication as to why their debut album leaves you feeling completely uninspired.
The biggest problem with the Damnwells is Alex Dezen's ridiculously vague, lazy and just plain terrible lyrics. Here's a typical verse: "When you gonna stay the same / Not till I've gone away / When you gonna take the blame / Oh when your love has strayed." Those are the opening lines to "The Lost Complaint", but it could be any song on Bastards of the Beat. Take the chorus to the aptly-titled "Kiss Catastrophe", for instance: "So give it back to me / Will you be mine while the winners sleep / So give it up, give it back to me / Open wide kiss catastrophe". That's the chorus. I won't even reveal the verses.
These are just a few examples of Dezen's laziness, however. Where the singer really offends is when his writing isn't just lazy, but downright awful. Let's take a look at the promising opening to "I Will Keep the Bad Things from You" (ignore the preposterously sophomoric song title for a moment): "I will keep the bad things from you / I will keep a straight face honey / You can keep your last name if you want to / And I will give you all my money." Alright, not good by any means, but it looks as if Dezen is building a simple but earnest love song in the tradition of Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love". However, trouble lurks. By the next verse, Dezen starts falling into old traps, and soon enough he's singing, "Catch it while you can / It's the feel good hit of the summer / Catch it while you can / 'Cause there won't be another." What the hell is that supposed to mean? It gets worse, though. By song's end, Dezen has completely lost any remaining thread to a coherent song as he sings in an unwaveringly earnest voice, "I will be your dad and mother / I will give you older brothers / I will feed you fries with steak sauce / I will keep the price below cost."
I'm not making any of this up.
Now let me explain that there is nothing inherently wrong with vague lyrics. Michael Stipe perfected the art back in the early days of R.E.M., but the difference is that Stipe's vague and oftentimes indecipherable lyrics were aided by two very important things. Firstly, they had accompanying music and melody that were absolutely first-class. And second, Stipe's lyrics, though ambiguous, were filled with beautifully vivid imagery and imagination. Dezen's lyrics on the other hand, could have been written by a 12-year-old who has just listened to his first Roxette album. Dezen is a songwriter with presumably nothing to say, his lyrics acting only as transport for mediocre melodies.
So, you could understand that at this point I'm content to write the Damnwells off as a completely worthless bar band that never should have released recorded material, let alone published Dezen's laughably banal lyrics when, out of nowhere, comes the impossibly lovely "Sleepsinging". A slow-building, smoldering masterpiece of dramatic pop agony, "Sleepsinging" methodically transforms itself into an absolutely majestic piece of Ryan Adams-style longing. Dezen's lyrics are still pretty bland, but they are at least not awful (the song is apparently about the record industry, but it could just as easily be about a girl, or addiction, or any number of things. Like I said, it's vague).
Just as soon as "Sleepsinging" sadly comes to its inevitable conclusion, however, comes "The Sound", a musically adept piece of roll-down-the-windows-and-belt-one-out pop rock that is rendered completely mediocre by Dezen's dreadful lyrics. Noticing a trend here? Right when you're bopping along to the catchy chorus you realize you are singing some of the most forgetable lines that you will ever hear. "I will go back to the sound / With good luck / If you keep the backbeat down / With good luck."
Good luck. Right. The Damnwells are gonna need it.
â?? 4 June 2004
Their music, to me, is bland, bland, bland. And not in a middle of the road bland but with incredibly written melodies Josh Rouse way. And not in a bland but her voice is as beautiful as she is Norah Jones way. Just bland and uninteresting.
And then you see them. Zero stage presence. The guys are completely ugly, not in an ugly yet interesting to look at ugly kind of way…just a "Hi I'm a dork with an outdated 90's hairstyle" kind of way. And the worst part is their "we think we're good" swagger. When clearly they are not good.
This Popmatters review sums it up well. And I swear, I used the word "BLAND" before I read this review.
At their very best, Brooklyn's the Damnwells are the Replacements. At their worst, they're the Goo Goo Dolls. Unfortunately, they are more often the latter. Sporting a no-nonsense, bass-drums-guitar Americana sound, the Damnwells are just about as bland as a band can get, which might be a good indication as to why their debut album leaves you feeling completely uninspired.
The biggest problem with the Damnwells is Alex Dezen's ridiculously vague, lazy and just plain terrible lyrics. Here's a typical verse: "When you gonna stay the same / Not till I've gone away / When you gonna take the blame / Oh when your love has strayed." Those are the opening lines to "The Lost Complaint", but it could be any song on Bastards of the Beat. Take the chorus to the aptly-titled "Kiss Catastrophe", for instance: "So give it back to me / Will you be mine while the winners sleep / So give it up, give it back to me / Open wide kiss catastrophe". That's the chorus. I won't even reveal the verses.
These are just a few examples of Dezen's laziness, however. Where the singer really offends is when his writing isn't just lazy, but downright awful. Let's take a look at the promising opening to "I Will Keep the Bad Things from You" (ignore the preposterously sophomoric song title for a moment): "I will keep the bad things from you / I will keep a straight face honey / You can keep your last name if you want to / And I will give you all my money." Alright, not good by any means, but it looks as if Dezen is building a simple but earnest love song in the tradition of Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love". However, trouble lurks. By the next verse, Dezen starts falling into old traps, and soon enough he's singing, "Catch it while you can / It's the feel good hit of the summer / Catch it while you can / 'Cause there won't be another." What the hell is that supposed to mean? It gets worse, though. By song's end, Dezen has completely lost any remaining thread to a coherent song as he sings in an unwaveringly earnest voice, "I will be your dad and mother / I will give you older brothers / I will feed you fries with steak sauce / I will keep the price below cost."
I'm not making any of this up.
Now let me explain that there is nothing inherently wrong with vague lyrics. Michael Stipe perfected the art back in the early days of R.E.M., but the difference is that Stipe's vague and oftentimes indecipherable lyrics were aided by two very important things. Firstly, they had accompanying music and melody that were absolutely first-class. And second, Stipe's lyrics, though ambiguous, were filled with beautifully vivid imagery and imagination. Dezen's lyrics on the other hand, could have been written by a 12-year-old who has just listened to his first Roxette album. Dezen is a songwriter with presumably nothing to say, his lyrics acting only as transport for mediocre melodies.
So, you could understand that at this point I'm content to write the Damnwells off as a completely worthless bar band that never should have released recorded material, let alone published Dezen's laughably banal lyrics when, out of nowhere, comes the impossibly lovely "Sleepsinging". A slow-building, smoldering masterpiece of dramatic pop agony, "Sleepsinging" methodically transforms itself into an absolutely majestic piece of Ryan Adams-style longing. Dezen's lyrics are still pretty bland, but they are at least not awful (the song is apparently about the record industry, but it could just as easily be about a girl, or addiction, or any number of things. Like I said, it's vague).
Just as soon as "Sleepsinging" sadly comes to its inevitable conclusion, however, comes "The Sound", a musically adept piece of roll-down-the-windows-and-belt-one-out pop rock that is rendered completely mediocre by Dezen's dreadful lyrics. Noticing a trend here? Right when you're bopping along to the catchy chorus you realize you are singing some of the most forgetable lines that you will ever hear. "I will go back to the sound / With good luck / If you keep the backbeat down / With good luck."
Good luck. Right. The Damnwells are gonna need it.
â?? 4 June 2004
The Damnwells are one of the least interesting performances I have ever seen, and for a while I kept being forced to endure them as openers, especially thanks to the real Rhett Miller.
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:Clearly not good to whom? You? Pollard? Joe Schmoe? So? When did someone resign and make you (or anyone else) the arbiter of "clearly" not good music?
What is it about the Damnwells that appeals?
Their music, to me, is bland, bland, bland. And not in a middle of the road bland but with incredibly written melodies Josh Rouse way. And not in a bland but her voice is as beautiful as she is Norah Jones way. Just bland and uninteresting.
And then you see them. Zero stage presence. The guys are completely ugly, not in an ugly yet interesting to look at ugly kind of way…just a "Hi I'm a dork with an outdated 90's hairstyle" kind of way. And the worst part is their "we think we're good" swagger. When clearly they are not good.
I like them. You don't. I already explained in the first post above that I like their songs. That's enough for me! When I first heard "Sleepsinging" I couldn't get that song out of my head for weeks and played it incessantly. I. Like. Their. Songs. The end.
They're ugly? Oh, thanks for the heads up! I HATE them now! Let's make sure someone alerts the media that Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Frank Black and other ugly people should not be listened to because….they're ugly! Rhett says so.
I'll see your Popmatters review and raise you one Harp Review:
"The Damnwells continue on their artful way with this EP, available exclusively on iTunes. One re-recording, two new cuts and three live versions comprise this tasty alt-pop melange. Songwriter Alex Dezen is one of the best around, and his talent shows through on the Dylanesque "Death After Life," the lazy-bittersweet "I Will Keep the Bad Things From You" and the melodic rock-out "New Delhi." The pair of acoustic numbers that close the set ("Electric Harmony" and "For My Own Good") aren't as strong as the other material, but neither are they a handicap. Fine stuff."
Frank Black, Bob Dylan, Janice Joplin. Yes, they are all ugly. But certainly they are interesting to look at ugly.
The Damnwells are BORING ugly. And yes, that was the look of 1990's Americana/Alt-country. But it's 2006, and these guys aren't Tweedy or Farrar, or even Ryan Adams!
<img src="http://gapersblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/ken_and_damnwells_million_yen.JPG" alt=" - " />
The Damnwells are BORING ugly. And yes, that was the look of 1990's Americana/Alt-country. But it's 2006, and these guys aren't Tweedy or Farrar, or even Ryan Adams!
<img src="http://gapersblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/ken_and_damnwells_million_yen.JPG" alt=" - " />
But would you do that chick?
<img src="http://gapersblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/ken_and_damnwells_million_yen.JPG" alt=" - " />
Rhett, do I have to remind you that not everyone can be a male supermodel like you?
did they all get the same perm?
The Damnwells are as untalented as I am. They better at least be a supermodel like me. ;)
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
Rhett, do I have to remind you that not everyone can be a male supermodel like you?
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:Put your money where you mouth is Rhett. Post a picture of yourself. You comment negatively on people's appearance all the time. Sasha Cohen has ugly knees? Sheesh.
The Damnwells are as untalented as I am. They better at least be a supermodel like me. ;)
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
Rhett, do I have to remind you that not everyone can be a male supermodel like you?
C'mon Rhett, you're so critical of others, let's see if you can take the heat.
Also, would it surprise you if I said I don't think the Damnwells are ugly at all?
Originally posted by Arlette:ggw?
Put your money where you mouth is Rhett. Post a picture of yourself.
Originally posted by Arlette:Even the Prince in the Cubs sweatshirt?
Also, would it surprise you if I said I don't think the Damnwells are ugly at all? [/QB]
I have seen a picture of Mr. Nakatestes, and I do not care to see another posted.
It was a joke. I was playing along with Chaz's joke. Still, I can safely say that I'm more attractive than any member of the Damnwells!
There aren't any flattering pictures of me online. If you really want to see me, pm me your email address, and I'll gladly email you a pic, and you can post it if you'd like.
There aren't any flattering pictures of me online. If you really want to see me, pm me your email address, and I'll gladly email you a pic, and you can post it if you'd like.
Originally posted by Arlette:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:Put your money where you mouth is Rhett. Post a picture of yourself. You comment negatively on people's appearance all the time. Sasha Cohen has ugly knees? Sheesh.
The Damnwells are as untalented as I am. They better at least be a supermodel like me. ;)
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
Rhett, do I have to remind you that not everyone can be a male supermodel like you?
C'mon Rhett, you're so critical of others, let's see if you can take the heat.
Also, would it surprise you if I said I don't think the Damnwells are ugly at all?
The guy in the Cubs shirt is a fan, and not a member of the band.
Which i guess just shows off what swell lads their fans are!
Which i guess just shows off what swell lads their fans are!
Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
Originally posted by Arlette:Even the Prince in the Cubs sweatshirt? [/QB]
Also, would it surprise you if I said I don't think the Damnwells are ugly at all?
I still like their music. So there!
Originally posted by Jaguar:That's what I said. ;)
Originally posted by El Sugartastic:Um, I suspect that Damnwells and The Cary Brothers sold out the Black Cat and The Fray were lucky enough to open for them. ;)
Also, The Fray sold out b/c they are w/ Cary Brothers and Damnwells.
"It was just a joke." Such a pussy reply.
Wah, wah, "there aren't any flattering pictures of me online". Alrighty then, Mr. Vanity.
More like, "I can dish it out but I can't take it". That's a prominent feature of tough talking guys on Internet message boards. Okay, Rhett, that's cool I guess, as long as you're comfortable with that line of reasoning.
I couldn't care less about a picture of you. Even if you did post one, I wouldn't comment, because I don't go for the low hanging fruit of commenting on someone's appearance. I just wanted to see if you had the balls. I pursued this discussion to try to prove a point: shut the hell up about people's appearance when trying to make an argument based on some other criteria. If that's all you got, it ain't 'nuthin. Make an argument like an adult. Calling people "ugly" should be beneath you.
Wah, wah, "there aren't any flattering pictures of me online". Alrighty then, Mr. Vanity.
More like, "I can dish it out but I can't take it". That's a prominent feature of tough talking guys on Internet message boards. Okay, Rhett, that's cool I guess, as long as you're comfortable with that line of reasoning.
I couldn't care less about a picture of you. Even if you did post one, I wouldn't comment, because I don't go for the low hanging fruit of commenting on someone's appearance. I just wanted to see if you had the balls. I pursued this discussion to try to prove a point: shut the hell up about people's appearance when trying to make an argument based on some other criteria. If that's all you got, it ain't 'nuthin. Make an argument like an adult. Calling people "ugly" should be beneath you.
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
It was a joke.
There aren't any flattering pictures of me online.
Originally posted by Arlette:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:Put your money where you mouth is Rhett. Post a picture of yourself. You comment negatively on people's appearance all the time. Sasha Cohen has ugly knees? Sheesh.
The Damnwells are as untalented as I am. They better at least be a supermodel like me. ;)
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
Rhett, do I have to remind you that not everyone can be a male supermodel like you?
C'mon Rhett, you're so critical of others, let's see if you can take the heat.
Also, would it surprise you if I said I don't think the Damnwells are ugly at all?
Rhett the Male Supermodel
<img src="http://marcus-schenkenberg.net/look/gallery/images/picgross23.jpg" alt=" - " />
Everyone else is just butt ugly.
<img src="http://marcus-schenkenberg.net/look/gallery/images/picgross23.jpg" alt=" - " />
Everyone else is just butt ugly.
I wasn't the one who started to commentary on how "hot" Sasha Cohen was. Others were commenting on her looks, and I tossed my opinion in.
And like it or not, in the entertainment industry, of which the Damnwells are a part of, looks DO matter. We're talking about the entertainment industry, which by definition is shallow and vain. As much as you'd like the discussion to be about ME, it's not. It's about the Damnwells.
And perhaps it doesn't matter to you, but what the performer looks like often plays a role in their stage presence, at least to me. I'd rather watch Rhett Miller shake his ass anyday, more than those dopey guys in the Damnwells. And I'm sure plenty of people would agree.
And like it or not, in the entertainment industry, of which the Damnwells are a part of, looks DO matter. We're talking about the entertainment industry, which by definition is shallow and vain. As much as you'd like the discussion to be about ME, it's not. It's about the Damnwells.
And perhaps it doesn't matter to you, but what the performer looks like often plays a role in their stage presence, at least to me. I'd rather watch Rhett Miller shake his ass anyday, more than those dopey guys in the Damnwells. And I'm sure plenty of people would agree.
Originally posted by Arlette:
"It was just a joke." Such a pussy reply.
Wah, wah, "there aren't any flattering pictures of me online". Alrighty then, Mr. Vanity.
More like, "I can dish it out but I can't take it". That's a prominent feature of tough talking guys on Internet message boards. Okay, Rhett, that's cool I guess, as long as you're comfortable with that line of reasoning.
I couldn't care less about a picture of you. Even if you did post one, I wouldn't comment, because I don't go for the low hanging fruit of commenting on someone's appearance. I just wanted to see if you had the balls. I pursued this discussion to try to prove a point: shut the hell up about people's appearance when trying to make an argument based on some other criteria. If that's all you got, it ain't 'nuthin. Make an argument like an adult. Calling people "ugly" should be beneath you.
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
It was a joke.
There aren't any flattering pictures of me online.
Originally posted by Arlette:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:Put your money where you mouth is Rhett. Post a picture of yourself. You comment negatively on people's appearance all the time. Sasha Cohen has ugly knees? Sheesh.
The Damnwells are as untalented as I am. They better at least be a supermodel like me. ;)
Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Beings:
Rhett, do I have to remind you that not everyone can be a male supermodel like you?
C'mon Rhett, you're so critical of others, let's see if you can take the heat.
Also, would it surprise you if I said I don't think the Damnwells are ugly at all?