The Dandelion War "We Were Always Loyal To Lost Causes"

 

Sampled this on a couple of occasions and even with at least ten or twelve other records in front of it, bought the damn thing anyway.  I enjoy these ethereal, atmospheric-styled albums which excel when experienced in a dark, quiet environment, however, that excludes my usual listening room.  So after a couple of spins in the car, I seek out the proper ambiance for the third and decisive play, after which I head to the Internet to see what I can find out about the band and record.  Here is a selection of the many affirmatory observations I found: 

"experimental indie tracks with startling accomplishment and jaw-dropping beauty" "masterpiece of gradual layering" "euphoric wave of music" "crafted progression...breathtaking...blissful"  "Complex but utterly euphoric" "spacey melodies and hypnotizing rhythms" "haunting vocals adjust in volume along with the music to create a lush auditory wonderland" "If there was music in outer space...";"epic, emotional ambient rock" "glacial elegance, buoyed by ghostly vocals, with a warm wash of background harmonies and the occasional peal of bells" "layers of beautiful guitar and distant synthesizers arrive before swooping vocals" "Prepare to be soothed, to be crushed, to be inspired."

I suppose one could say many of these same things about Sigur Ros or Explosions In The Sky, and though I appreciate their music, I own zero full-lengths of either.  Radiohead?  I have one.  What I jotted down for this album was very early R.E.M., mostly for the jangly guitar and maybe the vocals-as-an-instrument buried in the mix, ie. Michael Stipe-like moaned, unintelligible lyrics.  Since DW is from Oakland, CA, I believe I heard fellow Californians, Dredg, but only if they were full of Quaaludes.  There's just not enough substance in these songs to make me want to sit through the entire album again.  This is a live version of one of the three keeper tracks...



Just seems wrong that this was outdoors in the daylight...

Thirty years ago, I would have probably loved this record, but I do not get melted into a chair anymore.  Those of you who do, enjoy...