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After four long years,
Dishwalla finally re-emerged on Immergent Records with their third
album, Opaline. This is truly a reinvention of the band and
their music as evidenced by the title and opening track Opaline a
strongly ambient acoustic song with a flare of middle eastern influence.
This song is filled with maturity and strongly developed musicianship and
it sets the pace for the remainder of the record.
Second track is Angels or
Devils, a more mellow throwback to the likes of Counting Blue Cars
off Pet Your Friends. "Angels they burn inside for us, are
we ever going to learn to fly..." set to ever-rising chords deceive you
out of realizing how basic this song is. Dishwalla has mastered
pop-song craft, they make it seem so easy. You also might hear a bit of
Coldplay influence in some of Rodney's guitar parts.
Somewhere in the
Middle was the lead single off Opaline, and rightly so.
Full of energy and strength this song is an extreme joy to listen to and
play loud in your car. Interestingly, these songs seemed to be less
layered and deep when compared to earlier albums, but it is not readily
apparent because of how well songs like this are written, recorded, and
mixed.
Every Little
Thing slows down the pace with a very beautiful ballad. Contrasting
nicely with Angels or Devils' ascending chords, Every Little
Thing's descending progressions. Here we are able to noticeably pick
out Jim's synthesizers...which are much more subtle than on And You
Think You Know What Life's About. When Morning Comes plays nicely off the
mellow nature of previous material before punching it up for the first
chorus. This song is pure genius in its use of dynamics and Dishwalla's
talent for blending layers of sound. This is one of the best songs on the
record.
Next the album comes down to a
more basic, acoustic song, Home. With songs that are such a please
to listen to, like this one's sweet sound and familiar energy, it is hard
to imagine that this album was not really accepted by fans, and even
rejected by a few. Regardless, Home reminds you that one of
Dishwalla's main strengths lies in JR Richards and his incredible
voice. Today, Tonight continues with the same feel and quality,
although one of the weaker tracks on Opaline.
Mad Life is
(thankfully) a more upbeat tune, filled with energy and passion. The best
part comes at the breakdown, two minute mark with JR's "sweet" voice, a
sure thing to make the girls swoon. With a big switch for the band comes
Candleburn. This mournful, heart wrenching song is piano based.
Easily, Candleburn is the most memorable track off Opaline
and is my personal favorite. As a musician, this is the type of song I am
always striving to write: raw, emotional, and sure to give the listener
spine tingles.
Nashville Skyline is
another memorable song, especially with Jim's keyboards throughout.
Closing out the album is Drawn Out, the second best track on the
record for a multitude of reasons. Rodney's soft guitar leads, combine
nicely with JR's voice and subtle harmonies, while Jim's layers and Scot
and Pete's solid rhythm section carries the listener away. A truly amazing
song.
It is still strange how this
record was not embraced by fans. Opaline is not only
Dishwalla's best album, it is one of the best albums ever made. It is
rich and powerful, and definitely not an album you skip through to listen
to the good songs. I understand it is different from previous material,
but I can't help thinking those fans who reject this album have shallow
taste or lack musical depth. Granted it is very different...but that
doesn't mean it isn't amazing. |
