Sign In:
Login with Facebook
46724
Type: Album Release date: 06/04/2009
Your Rating:

"There is something brilliant approaching" - Dananananaykroyd, 'Some Dresses'

This review is being written before its author goes to watch Dananananaykroyd tear up a venue for the third time. This is important. To scribble these words shortly after seeing the band perform would border on a professional faux pas, such is the intensity and utterly brutal magnificence of their live show. Dolling out post-gig marks would rocket the album in question into epoch-defining territory, one suspects.

So here's a more considered, pre-gig verdict on Hey Everyone!: it fucking rocks. See, the Scottish "fight-poppers" (their words, but if the cap fits, quote it...) have pulled off the unenviable task of translating the most fun, most rocking, most utterly life-affirming live show that's currently doing the rounds into a brilliant, coherent debut album.

But, of course, one of the many reason that live show is so enjoyable - aside from the party vibes - is the quality of the tunes. They've been transferred to (black?) wax in turbocharged fashion by NYC knob-twiddler Machine, the man behind the desk for Johnny Foreigner's LP, as well many other records of a heavier persuasion - notably Lamb Of God's Sacrament and Ashes Of The Wake. If you're au fait with the former's Waited Up 'Til It Was Light, you'll know what to expect from his production, namely a glossy sheen and super-peppy guitars. It suits 'em, too.

Highlights? Live favourite 'Pink Sabbath' explodes in a whirlwind of friendly noise, sort of like a hundred-mile-an-hour handshake; '1993' is four minutes of incessant (not to mention technically impressive; props to Mssrs. Robertson and Roy) guitar work, beneath which Calum Gunn yaps like a recently-assaulted puppy - we mean that as a compliment, by the way - and, here in its extended format (an abridged version appeared on the Sissy Hits EP), 'Infinity Milk' gives co-vocalist/drummer John Baillie Jnr a chance to loosen his vocal chords too - God knows what they're hollering, but it sure sounds like fun.

Stylistically, Dananananaykroyd's debut sits somewhere between two seemingly opposing genres: indie-pop and properly heavy rock. They may be a lot closer to the Johnny Foreigner end of their producer's spectrum (doh!), but there's still some serious riffage on offer here. 'The Greater Than Symbol & The Hash', for instance, could probably hold its own against something off, say, the latest Mastodon LP (though granted, Crack The Skye isn't one of their weightier efforts). How many other 'indie' bands could you say that about?

In truth, Dana... don't strictly fall into that bracket either. What does that word even mean anymore, anyway? Any band not on a major label, or acts who sound like Belle And Sebastian? Whatever it suggests to you, though, comparisons with the aforementioned Brum trio and Los Campesinos! - probably the archetypal 'indie' (oops) acts of the day - are as wide of the mark as, say, Glassjaw or At The Drive-In analogies would be. That is to say, you wouldn't be entirely missing the point, nor would you be totally getting it: Hey Everyone! manages to occupy a space all of its own - an achievement in itself.

It's a one way ticket to musical fun times (try not to smile when you hear Baillie Jnr's "Hiya!" on 'Watch This!', or the shout-along intro to 'Some Dresses'. DiS dares you), an unpretentious, hard-rocking collection that doesn't let up until its contents has burrowed into the very fabric of your existence. You don't need to have seen the band live to appreciate what's on offer here, either, and that - as those who have will know - is probably the biggest compliment we could pay it.

guitar & drum playing is just something to be admired,

the riff on 'infinity milk' impresses me everytime... 8/10 for me also.

Machine is really making a name for himself, I like the production :D

hmm

does this really read as an 8/10? I can't see a criticism. Interesting that you pick out Pink Sabbath as a highlight as that's the only weak song on there imo. Works well as a single but not on the album.

9/10 for me

11 for me

seriouz

9.5/10 for me

The only track I question is 'One Chance'. Not because it's straight-up hardcore or shorter than a 15 year olds foray into sexual activity, but because 'Chrome Rainbow' deserved the spot a bit more.
In any case, I LOVE THIS FUCKING RECORD!!!

HIYA!

My misteak. Amendead.

9/10 for me

only track i don't 'totally love' is Watch This! The new recording of 'Symbol & The Hash is just perfection :)

This could have been a 9

But wasn't *quite* there for me. 8.5 easily, though.

A 9 is meant to be reserved for a really special album that transcends boundaries, blows minds and rewrites the rulebook. At least as far as I'm concerned. Not been so many of those this year.

I agree with the 8/10

It's a really good record, I'd like more newer material but then again it flows quite well. The distortion sounds nice throughout the album. The only criticism i'd give is that they use the massive ringing chords trick a little too much.

Apparently

You signed up just so you could criticise the review. And then you fell out of your ivory tower by spelling 'Apparently' wrong. Apparently.

Apparently is spelled with an 'e'.

Apparently.

Apparently

We posted at the same time!

...

apparently so!

fair review

I find it hard to get people into them based on the record alone, however great it is. You have to see them live really to truly 'get it'.

yeah?

guitars sound ace on the album and well non-davidson. is it just me or can you barely hear the bass at all? i know women should be seen and not heard but sort it machine!

initial favourites include some dresses and hey james

After quite a few listens, I agree with the 8.

Sissy Hits was pretty much perfect, but since then the production has become substantially more glossy, and I just don't think that it suits them. My other criticism would be that I feel like Hey Everyone listens like a singles collection rather than a cohesive album. All in all, great fun, but I can't imagine myself listening to this in a years time. It all works much better live.

I wrote that before I actually read the review.

The production really doesn't suit them, and it hurt the Johnny Foreigner album too.

It's an okay record actually.

It's not as great as many put it, but it's good. These guys kinda try to do something different at least and for that they're credible and therefore better than most other UK bands...

Production???

You lot are fucking deaf. The production on Sissy Hits blows (songs are great)... The band don't even like it. Do me a favor and A/B the tracks and then come apologise. The production on 'Hey Everyone' is incredible. Actually, don't bother, you probably wouldn't even notice the difference as your hearing aid battery is dead...

Add your comment

Reply


 or Abandon