DC Sound Collective: Collected Singles, EP Tracks And Other Morsels

A year of reviewing would not seem complete with at least a couple of discs from Daniel Crommie, a multi-instrumentalist whose albums have graced these pages year after year. Now I bring you his DC Sound Collective ensemble and their 2023 release titled Collected Singles, EP Tracks And Other Morsels. The album is a compilation of the band’s non-album singles, album tracks, and alternate versions, with three tunes previously unreleased.

The album features:
Daniel Crommie (flutes, electric dulcimer, keyboards, drums, vocals on tracks 1 to 8, 10, and 12 to 16)
Eldon Hardenbrook (bass, electric and classical guitars, keyboards, drums, vocals on tracks 9, 11, and 14)
Bruce Hazen (electric guitar on tracks 4, 7, 8, 15, 16)
Colin Henson (electric guitar on tracks 3, 5, 10, 13, 14, 17 and classical guitar solo on 17)

For those familiar with Crommie’s work you might know what you will be getting with this release. The first track “Be My Monkey� is a surprisingly catchy fusion of rock and electronic with decent lead vocals from Crommie. He sings a lot on these tunes, and I have to say he has quite an endearing voice, fitting nicely with his strange take on electronic pop and rock. “Don’t Wanna be Here� is upbeat and quirky, with a soundscape filled with keyboards and funky electronics with a nice atmospheric guitar solo from Hardenbrook. For a little new wave, circa 1980, check out the melodic “Everyone I’ve Ever Been� and the poppy synthesizer weirdness of “Industry Man�, revealing Crommie’s left of center approach to pop music. Another cool quirky bit of catchiness is the uplifting “K.I.S.S. LOL� where Crommie lays down some nice flute and a catchy groove. For me, this is one of catchiest releases I have heard from Mr. Crommie, and not once are any of these tunes remotely commercial.

Listening to a Crommie album can be both weird and wonderful, often at the same time. I am really digging this one, wanting to listen to it again and again. One of the marks of a solid album. Recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Be My Monkey
2. Don’t Wanna Be Here
3. Everyone I’ve Ever Been
4. Just A Millionaire
5. Industry Man (abridged)
6. K.I.S.S. LOL
7. Ghostwriter
8. Thoughts & Prayers
9. Hesperus
10. Drifting Away (single version)
11. In Lucid Moments
12. Molecular (extended version)
13. No Room to Dream
14. Dante (infernal dub mix)
15. Just a Millionaire (dub mix)
16. Ghostwriter (EP Version)
17. Rowena

Added: June 20th 2024
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist @ Bandcamp
Hits: 413
Language: english

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