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Album Details
- Artist: The Darcys
- Album: Aja
- Label: Arts & Crafts
- Year of Release: 2012
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: tosnob on 2012-01-31
RecommendToronto neo-shoegazers The Darcys are poised to release the second in a trilogy of albums they've plotted. This one, out Jan. 24th, is a front-to-back cover of Steely Dan's 1977 mega-hit Aja.
The group use their bombastic sound to bring a completely different feel to the original exploratory jazz rock record. Singer Jason Crouse does a pretty good Donald Fagen on top.
Little doubt remains that these songs are Darcys numbers now. The title track is a sprawling, squealing soundscape that maintains the integrity of the original , tangents and all. A flurry of guitars and drums confront the listener on the up-tempo rocker "Peg".
There's a compelling dichotomy to "Deacon Blues". A dreamy melody/vocal combination float atop an electrically-charge driving beat.
Explosive endings are a hallmark of this album. "Black Cow" and "Home At Last" both break down into cacophonous whirlwinds that abate far too quickly.
The album closer is also it's standout. "Josie" is a smokey soulful number that, combined with the maelstrom of the arrangement it can best be characterized as bluesgazer (trademark pending).
Full credit goes to the band for a concept that came completely out of left field. They did an admirable job bringing it home.
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