The Daredevil Christopher Wright

You Should Know


I'll be honest. I'm not very thorough about sifting through the messages flooding my inbox, and I don't post on bands unless I can delve into an album's worth of material, no matter how good the attached mp3 or two may be. Wisconsin's The Daredevil Christopher Wright got off on the right foot by including a zip file of their upcoming album In Deference To A Broken Back, which is due out May 19th on Amble Down Records. Then I noticed that their album was mixed by none other than Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and that their sound was compared to The Decemberists. I don't necessarily subscribe to The Decemberists comparison, but I'm glad they don't sound like some lit-rock knockoff. On In Deference, the trio truly manages to create a uniquely frenetic sound, and that's saying something in an era where everything is borrowed. The arrangements and interweaving harmonies are complex, but not in a way that distracts the listener. For instance, take the lovely march of a song "The East Coast" with its gorgeous three-part harmony, flute, and strings. While the musicianship throughout the album is a marvel, what sets these songs apart is the harmonies. I think these guys could stand on the corner singing acapella for pocket change and still be mesmerizing. Lyrically, the band tackles some heady subject matter on tracks like "A Conversation About Cancer," but they do so in a lighthearted/offbeat way. If In Deference To A Broken Back doesn't put a smile on your face, you might be devoid of a soul. -- Capt. Obvious

Listen:
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright - The East Coast
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright - My Attempts To Grow A Beard (Daytrotter Session)

Tags: The Daredevil Christopher Wright, In Deference To A Broken Back, Review