Dawes – If I Wanted Someone
Dawes’ sophomore album Nothing is Wrong releases today, its the highly anticipated follow up to 2009 indie-folk sleeper North Hills. Nothing is Wrong picks up where they left off 2 years ago, with stunning lyrics and a 70’s styled folk sensibility.
Two years ago, when Dawes released North Hills, it would have been on my top 5 list, so there was a lot to live up to for me. Since then, Dawes has toured relentlessly and luckily we’ve been blessed out here in New England with a few shows from the band and have seen the band play some of their new material. This new material presents itself as more of a blend of 70’s folk rock elements rather than the quieter, understated folk style they employed on North Hills. It seems as they’ve grown up on the road, they’ve also turned it up a notch. As someone that has seen Dawes play live numerous times this album plays more like a show of theirs than does its predecessor. Taylor has been allowed to step out in front, and showcase himself as a lead guitarist, playing solos that are timeless sounding; a near re-imagining of his past influences.
The album opens with the road weary ‘Time Spent in Los Angeles’ a poignant track that leads with “These days my friends don’t seem to know me, without my suitcase in my hand,” a line that really paints a picture of the loneliness and desolate nature that comes with life on the road which seems to be a common theme.. Dawes sweeps through subjects of heartbreak on released track ‘If I Wanted Someone,’ & ‘Million Dollar Bill.’ Goldsmith’s songwriting shines on each song as he has a special ability to write intimate and revealing songs that capture some of the raw emotion of lost connections and a travelling life and ultimately a reminder that no matter how far they get away they’ll always make their way back home. Its this steadfast nod to where they come from &their influences that make this album shine.
The album is truly is a gem, its a fantastic listen that displays both superb writing skills and some of the best musicianship out there these days. Sure the content & style is made for a more mature audience and lovers of a retro folk rock paradigm (I find myself saying “My dad would love this”) its a testament to musicians not trying to reinvent the wheel, but perfecting a sound that is timeless.
I’ve been listening to this album for a month and I honestly have put 30+ listens into it, and I know for sure, it is one album you must own in this year, and years to come I can honestly say, when it comes to this album… Nothing is Wrong.
Get yourself out there and buy Nothing Is Wrong
I guarantee, it will be one album you remember.
