Drew Danburry

Drew Danburry was nice enough to send me his CD. I was happy to have someone wanting to send me things. It’s nice to open up your mailbox and find a package addressed to you. It’s an even more pleasant experience when your package contains Besides (if you expect me to type out that title again, you’re raving mad). What’s so special about Besides? It’s hard to place a finger on one aspect of Drew Danburry’s latest effort. It could be occasional classic Casio drums, the playful jubilance of Danburry’s voice, and the uncanny ability to make Besides into one long-running, smooth sailing disc. The flow is impeccable, and before you realize it the fantasy island getaway has finished as quickly as it started.

But you probably want to hear about the songs, don’t you? You and your demands. The eerie rise and fall of theremin intermingling with the plucky piano of "It Starts With Indigo, Orange, and Green," blending into its fraternal twin "It Ends With Red, Violet, and Orange," provides the biggest summary one could give about the song structure and influence of Danburry. His melodies are playful and breezy much like the peak of Ben Folds, while his lyrics are honest, thoughtful, and yet funny like those of Wayne Cohen or a sober Robert Pollard (or, to beat a dead horse, Ben Folds). What you won’t find on Besides is the reliance on tired pop clichés (it seems Danburry heeded his own warning during "Know Your History Before You Become Part of the Repetition"). Danburry is wise enough to stay away from the hackneyed and focus on his own wit. The album doesn’t take too many musical chances because it doesn’t need to.

Don’t be fooled: Drew Danburry hasn’t written another throwaway pop album. In fact, he may be a torchbearer for a new era of fun pop that isn’t full of bad sentiment and choreographed dancing. It’s not very often that a theremin makes a pop song, and it’s more rare that someone can take traditional pop music and turn it upside down. Besides can be a bit too quirky for its own good, but it’s also that quirkiness that causes otherwise maligned songs to become enjoyable melodies destined for repeat listens.
- Tiny Mix Tapes

Who?

Really, this deserves a full review rather than the condensed version. But, thankfully, Drew Danburry will be releasing a new full-length in the early part of this year. Rest assured I will leave no stone unturned when that day comes.

If you don’t know him yet, well, I’m sorry. Danburry is as independent as they come and his pop is as thoughtful as it comes. By touring constantly and honing what seems like an endless number of skills over the past few years, Mr. Danburry has set himself up for one heck of a year. If Mother is any indication, you will be sick and tired of seeing me recommend and gab about this fellow throughout the year. Think of this review as sneaking glances out the window while your daddy hides all the Easter eggs. You might not know what’s inside yet, but you know exactly where to look.


How Is It?

Mother begins with WHISTLES and the phrase, “Short / Long / This is how we start the song.” How frivolous! But don’t expect mindless, acoustic folk-pop. Danburry might employ horns, banjos, pianos and off-kilter backing vocals (think if The Format locked themselves in a barn), but he also has self-aware, meaningful lyrics to boot. “Untitled 1” finds Danburry sounding exhausted and thought provoking. He’s in an obvious state of disarray and his vocals mimic this with scratchiness and audible pain. “Mother Is A Song By Danzig Not By Me” deviates with blippy electronics and some breathy flute playing. Danburry channels his inner Tim Kasher and says (right before another bout of whistling), “I’m trying so hard to just stay happy / Sorry if I’m not doing the best I can.” A hodge podge chorus materializes behind him, and we can literally hear Danburry’s friends supporting him and lifting him up. The sound of camaraderie is one of the most pure and beautiful things our ears can perceive. Listening to this song reminds me we are never truly alone, and for that I am grateful to Mr. Danburry. Before I get any more emotional (read: depressing), I better end this. However, there’s no doubt in my mind more brilliance is on its way.
- Absolute Punk