Reviewed by James Lewis

For veterans of Greenbelt Tribe Of Dan will be a familiar name, although main man and namesake Dan Donovan has been recording solo and with fellow Swamp Cranker, Mr Bennett, for a few years now. It has to be said that most alternative/indie music now is highly produced and slick. Most, that is, not all. The Tribe hark back to the days of garage rock when people like Velvet Underground, MC5 and others went for volume not polish. For younger readers, think of Blur's "Song 2" or Supergrass' "Richard III" and you're getting there. The sound is raw, bluesy and mostly in-your-face. But what about the lyrics?, I hear you ask... Ahh, yes - the lyrics! Anyone who saw them at this year's Greenbelt will have caught a taste of Mr Donovan's surreal humour and with song titles like "Monkeyman Snake" and "Big Boot Leg", and quite honestly an acute analysis of at least half the songs here is beyond the ability of this reviewer before his deadline. The nearest comparison I can make is the studied nonsense of Lewis Carroll (apologies Dan, if I have simply failed to appreciate the intent), and don't even get me started on the significance of "The Staring Song" (30 seconds of "I like to stare"!!!). Some songs are less opaque - the psychedelic "In The Blood" and the catchy "No Bad Dog", a reaction to a personal pharisee. The most intimate song here, "Inside Of Here", would appear to be a reflection of the sanctuary that God provides. Many Christians will not like Big Rich, however - I'm pretty certain he doesn't say "Big funky Rich". Space doesn't allow me to open up the whole argument about language here - but consider yourself warned.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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