Buy this CD!
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I befriended a budding musician who was kind enough to donate his compositional skills to an experimental theater piece I was writing and choreographing. Sadly, the ancient VHS tape on which I had recorded this piece has disappeared. But I remember the music. It was haunting and beautiful, aided somewhat--if memory serves--by my own contribution of quasi-operatic screeching. It was the late eighties. There was a lot of screeching back then.Fast forward to the present day and this musician has now recorded a CD, to be released on November 18th. When he sent it to me, I put it on, hit play, then got on with the task of making dinner with my husband. I expected the music to be good. But truthfully I was unprepared for what I heard.Dare Dukes' Prettiest Transmitter of All is no less than stunning. I'm no music critic so I lack the proper terminology to describe it, but here goes anyway. The melodies are gorgeous, inventive, and always emotionally resonant. The lyrics--mercifully audible--capture the surprising beauty in the most mundane--mostly suburban--environments. There's no artful sneer or predictable lament over the cold alienation of life in the sprawl zone. The songs were clearly written by someone who grew up in suburbia and who, perhaps after getting some distance from it, can look at it afresh and find beauty--even nobility--there.From "Sam's Cathedral":
Gather the children near the escalator.That Level 3 is my honey's dream.Where is that coupon "super saver?"In Sam's Cathedral things are what they seem.
From "Lucas Goes to the Demolition Derby"
The maniacs get more cheers.America finds her soul here.Fury, Centurion.--All that we hope to become--Bonneville and Cavalier.
Dare has wisely kept the arrangements sparse and simple, nevertheless they sparkle. The compositions leave room for poignancy but never weigh down or descend into pathos. You'll find yourself smiling but you won't be sure just why. This is a play list you will listen to over and over again, finding fresh nuance with every listen.Check out Dare's website and get a free mp3 when you sign up for his email list. You can also get advance copies by emailing him at dd@daredukes.com. Enjoy it now. Thank me later.