DAWES’ pointedly-titled 2011 LP ‘Nothing Is Wrong’ sounded like it breezed in from Laurel Canyon circa 1969 yet its’ enduring themes (love, life, family, a yearning for simpler times) struck a powerful contemporary chord in an ever more fearful 21st Century in which not just Mother Nature but significant swathes of humanity appear to be on the run.
While ‘Nothing Is Wrong’ may have provided a fine introduction for most discerning roots-rock aficionados on this side of the pond, it actually arrived on the back of a fine debut ‘North Hills’ which has only previously been available in the US.
Until now, that is, because thanks to the diligence and patience of the lovely people at Loose Music, ‘North Hills’ finally earns a long-overdue European release and believe me, that’s reason enough to run up the flags.
Not that the sonic approach is radically different or anything. Again produced by Jonathan Wilson (Jenny Lewis, Vetiver), it’s difficult not to hear echoes of The Band circa ‘The Brown Album’ on tunes like the plaintive ‘That Western Skyline’ or else Danny Whitten-era Crazy Horse on the rousing live favourite ‘When My Time Comes’, but there’s such timeless soul and humanity in Taylor Goldsmith’s songs that they’re more than capable of standing on their own two feet.
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Thus, ‘North Hills’ gives its illustrious successor a strong run for its money. Yes, ultra-heartfelt love songs (‘If You Let Me Be Your Anchor’, the gentle, Big Star-ish ‘Give Me Time’) are primarily its stock in trade, but – as the funky, chromatic groove of ‘My Girl To Me’ proves – they’re fearless enough to take chances when the spirit moves too. Besides, only the hardest hearted of dudes can fail to well up when those heartstring-tugging Californian harmonies break through the clouds on the stirring ‘When You Call My Name.’
Dawes, then, are quietly becoming synonymous with Americana of the highest quality. If ‘Nothing Is Wrong’ was mercurially brilliant, it seems there was gold in them thar ‘North Hills’ all along.
Dawes online
Loose Music online
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