David Fagin For Promotional Use Only Review by Gary Hill
First off, let’s address the title. I get a lot of CD’s marked that way, so it caught me by surprise as a title. It’s funny, but also fitting in that if you think about it, any artist’s CD is essentially doing promotion for them.
The music here is somewhat a cross between a singer/songwriter sort of vibe and a modern pop rock, but there’s a lot of progressive rock in the mix. In fact, there’s so much that I nearly put this one into that category. Ultimately I decided it wasn’t the best fit and went with “non-prog,” though. Still, however you categorize it; this is some great music and should have some definite appeal to progressive rock fans.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2010 Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
I Do
The opening cut has a definite lush proggy approach to it. There is definitely an 80s new wave styled pop element at play here, too. All in all, this is a catchy tune that manages to showcase classic sounds while feeling contemporary.
Mess of Love A bit more of a rocker, this isn’t quite as proggy, but there’s still some definite prog elements. I’d say that this is kind of a marriage of the singer/songwriter style of music with modern prog.
Cry Much more of a rocker, the elements that were combined in the previous track seem to be married here, too. This is another tasty cut, but perhaps one that’s less progressive rock oriented than some of the other stuff here. Still, it has its moments.
Goddess of Nothing This is very much in keeping with the type of music that makes up most of the rest of the disc. It’s tasty and tasteful and entertaining.
These Stones I like this one a lot. It’s got a lot harder rocking edge and it’s quite a cool tune. I’d say that it’s a definite piece of variety, but other than the bridge and intro it’s not all that proggy.
Strange More like a ballad, there are parts here that make me think a bit of Genesis, but it’s definitely more in keeping with a straightforward singer/songwriter motif and there are hints of both folk and country music here.
Dust This is a more high energy piece and it’s definitely one that’s more prog rock in the various layers. It is certainly not that different from a lot of the music brought out by bands like Porcupine Tree. It’s got a great driving beat, even when the intensity drops back.
Island Blues A more stripped down and rhythmic sound makes up the basis for this one. It’s not the most proggy cut on show here, but it’s tasty and a change of pace.
Hindsight
Coming in fast paced and lushly arranged, this drops toward mellower sounds for the entrance of the vocals. This has more powered up stuff, and is a killer rocker with some hints of both 80s music and modern prog.
Neverland
Although in some ways this rocker isn’t that different from a lot of the other music here, it is more decidedly progressive rock oriented than a lot of the other material.
Fade Out Rhythmically and quite cool, I hear this as a more organic version of the type of music The Cars used to do.
