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After hearing Counting
Blue Cars on the radio, I immediately bought Dishwalla's debut
album, Pet Your Friends. I didn't even have to think about
it. I was actually a little disenchanted by some of the harder songs on
the record as I was listening extensively to Better Than Ezra's
early records. The sound was different, and too heavy for my taste.
However, the talent behind their music was readily apparent to me.
As my taste matured, and my
own musical talent grew I began to recognize the musicianship creating an
album as bold as Pet Your Friends requires. Likewise the
layered sounds became even more compelling. Album two, And You Think
You Know What Life's About, was released during a time of musical
discovery for me, and I was barraged by a wide range of sounds from many
different bands and styles, and for a time Dishwalla blended into
the background.
The band's third album,
Opaline really blew me away. Because every track on this record
is impressive and memorable, it brought to light many of the mediocre
songs and albums that exist. This level of excellence is rare...and the
power is in the quality of the song writing and dynamics (of both
individual songs and the album as a whole). I also have a strong pull
towards the ambient and full sound of this record.
Opaline also
drove home the point of how important the singer's voice is. While
Dishwalla would still be a good band with another singer, they are
excellent because JR has a wonderful voice, and he treats it like a
musical instrument. Its good to have an original, or unique sounding
voice, but it is better to have one that is musically superior.
Now, I look back to
Dishwalla's albums as a source of inspiration on how to
effectively layer different sounds and thicken songs up, although I have
gotten carried away with my own material.
After attending a concert
in Phoenix on the Dishwalla tour, I have renewed my interest
in forming a new band. Live music is such a place of joy for me, and I
have not been faithful to that part of myself. Likewise, I learned of
Scot's departure from the band to spend more time as a father with his
family. This has given me a sense that for a time, playing in a band would
be a good thing...as long as I keep my focus on my family and can walk
away when the time is right.
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