David Karsten Daniels - Sharp Teeth
by Benjamin Howarth
published: 24 / 2 / 2007
Label:
Fat Cat Records
Format: CD
intro
Promising debut album from quirky latest Fat Cat signing David Karsten Daniels, which is unfortunately ruined by a poor production and Daniels' own laziness
When I first heard this album, I was indifferent to it. Then I grew to like it. Then, finally, I began to realise that it could have been a lot better. There are some good songs, but this album is just too patchy, too scratchy and - frankly - it just hasn’t been finished. If this was a demo, it would be exciting. As a finished album, it's just lazy. David Karsten Daniels is a quirky singer-songwriter, who makes his music as sparse as possible, but also adds string sections and other instruments. There are some impressive moments, and some wonderful melodies. But, unfortunately, Daniels seems wilfully intent on sabotaging all of this. I don’t know why. He writes good songs. He is capable of presenting them in genuinely affecting arrangements. But far too many of the songs on this album slip into dull, abstract and wilfully meandering boringness. I read another review of this album which praised the "noble" way that Daniels doesn’t seem to care what his audience thinks. That’s fine. I’m glad he enjoys what he does, and feels free to produce whatever he likes. I’d just rather not listen to it, if its all the same to him. Life is far too short for music which hasn’t been made for my enjoyment. One is left with the distinct impression that, in pandering to the indie-ultras, David Karsten Daniels has neglected his own talents. He is capable of writing songs that impress naturally, and thus it is a shame that he has wasted them in trying so hard to impress. I’ve heard many worse albums, but I could also recommend many better ones.
Track Listing:-
1 The Dream Before The Ring That Woke Me2 Scripts
3 American Pastime
4 Jesus And The Devil
5 Sharp Teeth I
6 Minnows
7 Universe Of No Parts
8 Beast
9 Sharp Teeth II
10 We Go Right On
Label Links:-
http://www.fat-cat.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/FatCatRecords
http://fatcat-records.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/fatcatrecords
https://twitter.com/FatCatRecords
features |
Gallows (2007) |
Katie Anderson photographs rising Watford-based punk/hardcore band Gallows exclusively for Pennyblackmusic and for our 'Photoscapes' series at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart