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Artist: The Dalloways

Album: Penalty Crusade

Publication: North Coast Journal

Category: Feature

Writer: Bob Doran

Section: The Hum

Date: 06/02/2005

Website: www.northcoastjournal.com

Review Link: http://www.northcoastjournal.com/060205/hum0602.html

When I called Gerhard Enns, leader of The Dalloways, he was in Portland, on the road with the band, far from home base in Fresno. The tour brings them to the Placebo Friday where they share the bill with local alt. poppers Bella Dramatic.

The Dalloways initially came together in 2000, releasing an EP that Enns describes as "more jangly Rickenbacker pop, like REM. We've moved away from that to a more rich style with atmospheric swells and delays, a little more shoegaze."

The band's new record, Penalty Crusade, is rich in texture with a sound that reminded me of Brit pop bands like Roxy Music and Style Council. "I love the Style Council," said Enns, "and The Jam. Paul Weller is just amazing. I was definitely into that '80s pop movement."

I was surprised to learn that Nico, his wife of four years, is the bass player in the self-described "dreampop" band, since most of the songs Enns wrote for the band's latest are tragic tales of lost love.

"I had to get that all out of my system on this album," said Enns. "I guess the next one will be more upbeat. I had some bad breakups. I'm sure almost everybody has. I hope the songs ring true with people."