Posted on July 16, 2010 - by Editor

Record Reviews: Dandelion Snow/ D.O.A / Mark Foggo

Dandelion Snow
The Grand Scheme Of Things
King Bullet Records

Roger Harvey AKA Dandelion Snow has been furiously working away at honing his craft as a song writer and story teller and with this release, produced by Chris#2 of Anti Flag, he manages to weave a personal and approachable story based on his nomadic and semi biographical musical journey. Dripped in bitter-sweet melodies and sincerity the album covers a vast array of sound and the mood shifts are tangible. From acoustic slow to upbeat hip, Rogers voice, often on the verge of creaking is also haunting and as his material sways from relationships to the influence of music, there is no pretence but only heart on sleeve openness. It’s a album that also casts a rainbow of emotions and colours as you are taken on a journey of hope and longing, easily identifiable and as Roger explains, “Music has been the backbone of my life since I was young, travelling with bands, and listening to my favourite records in my parents basement.” Songs such as ‘Going Underground’, ‘You’re Impossible’ and ‘Wooden Gods’ all stand out but there is hardly a filler moment.

Less Talk-More Action
D.O.A
Sudden Death Records

Canadian punks hail him and the Canadian authorities despise him, in Joey Shitead Keithley you have  a genuine punk icon, a man of action and talk unlike the pretentious puppet-like Johnny Rotten’s of this world, you get the sense Joey has been there, done that. Although D.O.A don’t play a punk rock sound that sits top of my list of preferences, you can’t help but respect them for plugging away for over 30 years and this, their 13th album still has some great kick in the political, social, punk (well everyone’s) teeth. Full of directed anger (often disguised in humour) the album is full of fast, furious punk rock with a heavy dose of wit and right-fist swinging with activism. Along with the rhythm section of Dirty Dan on bass and Floor Tom Jones on drums Joey kills on guitar as the band deliver heavy hooks, raw and powerful punk rock.  Political songs range from ‘The R.C.M.P.’ (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), to ‘Tyrants Turn In Hell’ whilst their first single ‘I Live In A Car’ is s great turbo charger and humorous song. Humour is plentiful with an ode to Star Trek with ‘Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty And Bones’ whilst they turn their hand at a couple of covers with Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ and Dean Martin’s ‘Amore’ (both great covers at that!). After all these years, like or loathe these Canadian punk heroes, their music is as relevant and potent as ever; just look up events at their recent Zurich show involving riot police to get an idea.

MAD
Mark Foggo
V2

This is definitely for fans of the 80s post 2 Tone sound although there is an eclectic mix of reggae, 50s rock, punk and new wave to the record. Mark Foggo is not as well known as you might think; this being his eighth studio album, but the Dutch based singer does have experience under his belt and his skill as a songwriter and ability to infuse different sounds and genres is commendable but there is also something slightly unnerving by the whole record. The sound drifts from Madness style ditty’s to Ian Drury or Bad Manners angst and venting. Variety is great but there a slight schizophrenia to it all which in my opinion doesn’t generate a great flow. The satirical ‘Cybergirl’ and ’Sugarlover’ are tongue in cheek references on modern society and even album open ‘Muhammad Ali’ is a quirky but catchy song and upbeat start to the record while ‘Watch the clock’ is another standout upbeat sing along. There are large sections of the album which are pure head bopping, foot stomping glee and moments in between of uncertainty, but you are up for a quirky mad adventure through Mark Foggo’s world, this is a left field recommendation, but there is a question of flexibility vs. accessibility that might result in marginalised appeal.