David Karsten Daniels - Sharp Teeth

  by Benjamin Howarth

published: 24 / 2 / 2007

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Review

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 Me
2 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

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