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Album Details

• Artist: Dan Kern
• Album: 1977
• Label: Self Released
• Year of Release: 2013
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: gwhill on 2013-03-11

Melodic sounds start the set on “Cold Wind.” As it works out to the song proper, it’s got a great soulful sound. The tune is accessible and just plain fun. It’s sort of one part retro soul music and one part jam band. It’s all good. Soft rock and jazz merge on “Quietly.” It’s airy and fresh and quite strong. There’s a bit of a Latin vibe to it. More of an alternative rock meets pop sound is heard on “Wedding Day.” It definitely seems to be about a person who shouldn’t be getting married because of some seriously unresolved issues and regrets with an ex. It’s an evocative and personal song and works quite well.

“Strawberry Hair” is less polished. That’s not a detriment, though, but rather a charm. The cut is a lot more stripped down and very much folk music. It’s another flavor and side of this great artist. Alternative rock and folky pop music combine on “More and Better.” The hook on the tune is among the catchiest of the whole album.

“Six Tears” is the first of several surprises. It’s a real hard rocker with some punk rock in the mix, along with plenty of alternative rock. It’s a killer tune that’s just a nice variant on the sound. “Hurry” is another huge change. It starts with some unaccompanied vocals that remind me of something from the soundtrack to “O Brother Where Art Thou.” It moves out there to some energized country music that’s quite traditional in sound. Again, it’s a great bit of variety. “Thought We Knew the Way” rocks out with another energized arrangement. It’s more like a classic rock sound with some serious spunk.

“Want to Go” is a rocker with some classic rock and singer/songwriter sound in the mix. It’s a good tune, but perhaps the weakest thing here. That’s not an indication of any real deficiency in the tune, but rather in the fact that it just doesn’t stand as tall as a lot of what’s around it. “Kat Corbett” closes the set. It comes in with a real bluesy rocking sound and has sort of a garage indie rocker sound to it. It’s another bit of variety, but again another that doesn’t necessarily stand up to the rest.

All in all, though, Dan Kern has created an album that holds up beginning to end. The variety of sounds and quality of the music all work in its favor. It’s a killer disc that really works well. Expect great things from this guy in the future because this shows a lot of potential. And, it’s potential that’s realized, too. That’s even better.
 

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