Dandelion
2009 Golden State Music
Brandon Schott is a man out of time. Or perhaps, to be more accurate, he is a songwriter unstuck from the constraints of time. His latest album Dandelion gives the listener an overwhelming feeling of early 70’s Laurel Canyon (a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California which many great musicians have called home since the 60’s). Not that Dandelion is a deliberate homage in any way; Brandon shares so many qualities with the amazing artists that populated Laurel Canyon during this time period that its is easy to picture him mingling in this neighborhood of rock royalty. Schott’s songs are perfectly constructed (Jackson Browne, Graham Nash) but not afraid to surprise you with a left turn (Joni Mitchell). One such song, “Fire Season” garnered him a Hollywood Music Award just this last week. The vocal performances on Dandelion express such emotion, depth, and intensity that Schott could convey all of his feelings to the listener even if his songs were without lyrics (Judy Sill, Carole King). Though Brandon is essentially a solo artist the songs here possess the cohesiveness and musicianship of a road tested rock band (CSN&Y, The Byrds). From all of these comparisons it may seem that I am trying to convey that this album sounds "old". No, it sounds "timeless". Unfortunately, there aren’t many timeless albums being made today so you have to go into the past to find comparison. Let me explain...
There is a current trend amongst rock/pop musicians to emulate yesterday’s hit makers and call it something new. Most who try fail miserably. Why? Because, while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it makes for really boring, rehashed music. When you try to recreate music that is “timeless” you only end up with something that sounds dated. Artists, who take in everything around them (new and old) using their own perception to analyze and reconstruct it, give back to the world hybrid creations that are without time. Modern examples of such architects are Aimee Mann, Josh Rouse, and Richard Swift. Schott does this also and does it very well.
Dandelion's 13 tracks were recorded over three months time in a church near Schott's Glendale home while he was undergoing treatment and recovery from a stage three germ cell tumor. Every feeling you can imagine while going through this type of experience is in each and every song. Coming from an emotionally intense place such as this songs can easily turn maudlin, or the opposite, too hopeful to the point of being silly. Dandelion's songs are neither. The theme of Dandelion seems to be "life is a ride". We're all on it. Sometimes bad things happen. It’s a turbulent ride...but an honest one.
I would like to correct what I said in the beginning of this review. Brandon is not a “man out of time”. He is exactly where he needs to be in world quickly becoming starved of beauty and originality. Here and Now.
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Brandon Schott’s latest release Dandelion can be purchased at iTunes and other major digital download sites. You can find out more about Brandon Schott and his music at
http://www.brandonschott.com/
http://www.myspace.com/brandonschott
It's true, some artists today come off formulaic, forced, maybe even too perfect, when trying to 'capture' a sound. Most of the time, stuff like this goes right through me, and I go back to what I was listening to before.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear more of Brandon's stuff, the included track was amazing. Excellent read, Steve, thanks. :)