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Artist: The Dalloways

Album: Penalty Crusade

Publication: N. L. Belardes Music Reviews

Category: Live Review

Writer: N. L. Belardes

Date: 01/23/2005

Section: Skeleton Head Music Reviews

Website: www.nlbelardes.com

Review Link: http://nlbelardes.com/musrev_dalgig1.html

With hints of Elvis Costello, Lloyd Cole, and Morrissey interwoven in musical tapestries, The Dalloways debut album Penalty Crusade is a stark tribute to Brit pop. Upon a deeper listen one senses songwriter Gerhard Enns knack for self-contemplation and storytelling has turned him musical because he simply has a strong talent to do so. Gerhard Enns ability to talk about relationships in a song like he’s talking about your own horrid pitfalls is purely magical. It was however slightly overshadowed last night by the need to provide his audience with their own dark hole to peer through. Many might find the Southern San Joaquin Valley a strange locale to write such dry-wit relationship songs, as well as tribute music to Virginia Woolf; but so what? The Dalloways is Brit pop fascination rich in a band’s love for literature, people close each other and British literary culture. And that’s Ok. The Dalloways live show at downtown Bakersfield vintage clothing hole-in-the-wall Gigantic overall was a pleasant tour of melodious guitar layers and jazzy bass lines. At first caught in a slow tempo of music to an overly-subdued crowd, The Dalloways proved they could up the tempo and momentum by catching the edgier side of Brit pop. They drove the audience through what could almost be too rhythmic of musical moments with the texture of two guitars in melodic synch. Each song also moved through jazzy bass turned driving and more than catchy. The bass player also had a presence and musical ability that rivaled Enns Costello-like crooning and Enrique Gonzales’ Chicano confidence. Purely a talented group enhanced by solid drums and echoing keyboard textures. Gigantic however is a difficult venue. The lighting is too bright and I wondered if vagabonds would thieve from the clothing racks. There was the need for subdued lighting, not a subdued crowd. Could there ever be refreshments and a hint of smoke? Surely Gigantic could make a few more dollars that way. Sell some water, coffee and tea. Recommendation: during the shows clear the racks, turn off the lights, find another kind of lighting and allow the rich texture of a band like The Dalloways to pervade a more Brit-like bar atmosphere that can surely be captured in the spacious Gigantic room.