The Death Ray Davies - Time Well Wasted
THE DEATH RAY DAVIES - 'TIME WELL WASTED'
After a protracted break, Dallas-based indie outfit The Death Ray Davies returns with their new album, Time Well Wasted.
The Death Ray Davies
The Death Ray Davies never disbanded, instead, they simply went on hiatus, allowing the band’s members to occupy themselves with other projects.
Talking about how the new album came into existence, frontman John Dufilho says, “I quickly wrote 13 songs in a row, realizing right away that they were DRD songs. I sent demos to the band, asking if they wanted to jump back in. Right away, everyone wrote back “HELL YES!” A 15-year nap…suddenly we’re awake.”
Comprising 13-tracks, the first song is entitled “Tapping on the X-Ray,” and opens on a raw, almost punk-like guitar, and then moves into a pop-rock-flavored melody topped by smooth, mellow vocals.
“I’m In Love with Alexa” blends hints of Brit-pop with modern pop accents.
Highlights include “Talking With Friend,” pushing out savors of ‘60s Brit-pop, along with vague tints of new wave tangs, giving the tune an edgy, austere attraction. “Close Your Eyes and Floor It” rides a driving rhythm as guitars and synths merge to offer stripped-down textures of pop and lo-fi garage rock flavors. I love the momentum on this track.
“Medicine Head” features a snappy pop melody, chock-full of infectious relishes of sound. A baroque-like piano gives the harmonics a tasty sing-song rolling effect, while velvety vocals provide the lyrics. “I’m In Love with Alexa” blends hints of Brit-pop with modern pop accents. Reminiscent of the Beatles, the harmonics ebb and rise on bewitching tones.
“Then You Met Me,” pumps out darker, heftier coloration, yet still maintains its delicious pop elements, producing an elusively familiar song, one that worms its way into your ears. A personal favorite is “You and Me Until the End,” which conjures up memories of early Who songs.
Time Well Wasted is an excellent album, harking back to the heady days of ‘60s Brit-pop, yet innovative and delightfully original.
