(http://www.dalloways.com)The Dalloways – Dirty Money and Filthy Love EP
(http://www.birdinbox.com)Bird in Box Records
Catchy, mature indie-pop with interesting and unique influences.
The Dalloways’ Dirty Money and Filthy Love EP proves interesting, to say the least. While it exudes a predominantly indie-pop sound, the band often dabbles in jazz fundamentals, bringing a unique twist on a genre that is becoming tired.
A wide range of possible influences come to mind while listening to the five tracks of this EP, from bands like Of Montreal to Belle & Sebastian to The Smiths. The band is definitely indie-pop, but subtle hints of jazz guitar and a poetic and literary sensibility to the lyrics give the Dalloways a maturity that is uncommon amongst its peers. And despite the band’s California origins, there is a distinct Brit-pop feel to the music. It has a certain cultured feeling that only a select few can truly appreciate, but that anyone can love.
Even without knowledge of the works of Thomas Hardy, who is blatantly referenced in the song “Me and Thomas Hardy,” or of the technical aspects and influences behind the music, the songs on Dirty Money and Filthy Love EP are highly enjoyable. Anyone who loves a good pop song should enjoy the bouncing rhythms and subtle synthesizers driving the title track. “I Love You Regardless” proves to be a nice guitar-driven ballad, and the EP is rounded off with the oddly creepy but entertaining “Didn’t Have The Time.” The only track that is really forgettable is “Let’s Climb the Staircase,” possibly just due to it being the middle track.
Basically, the biggest fault of this EP is that it is an EP and not a full album. More, please.
– Nate Williams
Nathanmw@ou.edu