Music - Daniel Wylie: Ramshackle Beauty
 Terry Bartley  rates it:    Community rates it: (no ratings yet)
   187 of 355 readers found this review helpful.

I don't know what it is about Glasgow, Scotland, but I have yet to listen to a bad artist from this latest slew of CDs I've gotten, with artists all from Glasgow. Daniel Wylie is no exception. This singer/songwriter has developed some extremely quality pop music on his latest solo album, Ramshackle Beauty.

All his music has a very distinctive sound without sounding repetitive. At first listen, his stuff might seem like easy listening pop, but the further you delve down you realize there is a serious rocker behind this mellow-guy exterior. His voice barely ever goes above a certain volume, but it really doesn't need to. The more I listen to him the more he sounds like Ben Folds, without the piano. Yeah, I definitely think he's the Scottish Ben Folds. He has some clever lyrics and songs that's titles spark interest and with a quick listen, there is no disappointment.

The first track that makes you realize he is more then just a pop artist that helps you relax is “Maybe I've Changed.” In this song he tells his girl about how he has changed and she hasn't, or at least something's different and he doesn't know why. With lyrics like, “I try to be kind, all of the time, most of the time,” this song reminds of They Might Be Giants, which is awesome! One song that is a really good example of his easy listening style is “Consoling the Girl.” It opens up with relaxing guitar chords and proceeds to lead up the Daniel addressing the weather. I know it sounds weird, but I could really imagine listening to this after a long day or a rainy day and end up with a smile on my face after the I hear the last chord. The song “If You Stay A While” takes a different path then all the other songs. His voice sounds eerily like Fatboy Slim, but I buy it. It has such a good beat and the lyrics just roll out of his mouth. It puts you in this mood that anything could push you over the edge, but it makes me like that feeling.

All in all Daniel Wylie has made such an incredible pop album here that covers so many emotions in just 14 tracks. Never has it ever felt this natural to compare one artist to Ben Folds, They Might Be Giants, and Fatboy Slim and I can't believe I had the opportunity to. For an artist who can encompass an air of that many amazing artist and make me enjoy undesirable emotions, how could I give him anything but 5 out of 5 cans.

Added:  Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Related Link:  Daniel Wylie
Language: eng[ Did you find this review helpful?  Yes  No ]
[ Back to reviews index ]

Want to comment on this review?
Register here for a free user account, and you'll be able to.