Darwin Deez
Songs for Imaginative People
Reviewed by Michele Zipkin
Songs for Imaginative People is the second full-length album from New York-based indie rocker Darwin Deez, and the record more than lives up to its title. If his first record was composed of a rhythmic collage of synthesized and acoustic instruments that are more or less cohesive but at times play with the ears of the listener, this record amps that up a few notches.
The album’s first track, “(800) Human” kicks off with an in-your-face syncopated guitar riff and distorted synth drums, which hold down the fort as various digital sounds gurgle and crackle above and below. The lyrics provide fairly eccentric and cloaked commentary on “…what it’s like to be human”.
“You Can’t Be My Girl” features Deez describing all of the unlikeable qualities in a potential or current girlfriend. He frustratingly asks what drugs she’s not on, and sneers when she’s “slurring Gorbechev”. He’s either conflicted or in the midst of having a revelation when he almost humorously cuts himself off in saying “I think I love- you are horrible”. The glossy and repetitive guitar lick, as well as the synthesized percussion make this one art-rock electronica in one sense, but the melodic vocals, that include some bursts of falsetto, make the tune more of an alt-rock song. Like many of the other tracks on this second effort, these songs are built on cut-and-paste elements- some digital, some au naturale.
“Moonlit” starts off with a very ‘80s mock/funk guitar lick, but then continues with percussion that’s at slight rhythmic odds with the instrumentals and a non-distinct melody. It almost sounds like Steve Winwood wrote that guitar riff, but everything else is very current electro rhythm collage. Deez’s singing is surprisingly melodic as he belts out the chorus.
In the above-mentioned tune Deez’s singing is fairly playful, while it seems a bit more straightforward in “Redshift”. This song has the percussive groundwork for a low-key, romantic R&B song, but has some asteroid-like digi work squeaking overhead, with elements of the universe and a potential big bang as the main subject matter. The chorus ramps up in mood with eighth-note electric guitar strumming, and Deez unleashing passionate vocals soaring over the moon. But it still manages to retain its romance, especially in the recurring line “…the universe is mostly empty space without you”.
The record ends with the high-energy and endearing “Chelsea’s Hotel”, which starts off with dance-like disconnected guitar and drum hits, but then slows it way down with the line “I’ve spent my fortune, I’ve torn this town apart, to build a hotel on her heart.” It’s a fun song but doesn’t have the same accessibility as some of the previous tracks.
There is certainly diversity in mood, instrumental texture and rhythm on Songs for Imaginative People; it has qualities of riffy art rock, electro pop, and R&B. Its abrupt instrumental and vocal entrances and shifts in energy make it a bit less digestible to the pop-accustomed ear, but this difference is more than welcomed.
