Dave Davies - Meta Media Demo Series
Fragile
By Leslie Ohanian
January 2001
The second installment of the Meta Media Demo Series, 'Fragile', shows the many facets
and talents of Dave Davies. The styles are wide reaching and ambitious, that someone
of a lesser talent would have a hard time pulling off.
The album starts off with the techno ambient 'Astral Nightmare' with Dave's vocals
taking on an almost other-worldly, gliding feeling, like a meteor shower in the night
sky; almost like travelling at light speed only to land firmly back on earth.
Track two, 'Violet Dreams', is a radical departure from anything else I've heard
on any Dave's solo work or indeed any Kinks album, it's a jazz/blue tinged song,
that has undertones of something more psychedelic and a taste of those strong guitar
licks that put Dave on the rock and roll map. It comes together in a unique and pleasing
blend of styles. This is what fusion should sound like!
'I'm Sorry' comes next, it begins with a fuzz toned, snarling guitar. It's a bass
dominated darkly colored piece that has an air of both anger and sorrow. This song
shows how strong Dave's singing is his voice is really the standout in this song;
he uses it like a violin on the higher parts and strums it like a cello on the low
parts.
The catchy 'Give Something Back' even after only a handful of listenings has set
its hooky melody in my head quite firmly. The song has a very important message that
is conveyed in a bouncy tune.
'Hope' has a really fun Hammond organ backing track with a synth drum playing rhythm.
It seems like it was intended to be a duet, yet Dave's able to do the exchange of
lines by subtly altering his singing so it seems like two vocalists not just one.
A lost classic is next; 'Bright Lights', was a bonus track on the CD/Cassette Tape
copies of 'UK Jive' but not the LP, this demo features clearer vocals and is more
straightforward than the finished product that appeared on the album.
Itís interesting to see how songs are born and how they change, when they are deemed
the finished product. 'Open Up Your Heart' is the demo of what would become the sublimely
beautiful 'Look Through Any Doorway'. The basic tune was kept, some of the words
were changed, but the honest emotion and depth of feeling shine that are evident
in this demo remain
true.
The next song on the album, 'Wait!' is a real heart grabber, lost loves and missed
opportunities are the theme. When Dave sings "Please come on home?" it
is guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of any listener with an ounce of feeling.
Once again this song shows Dave's amazing vocals, the emotions are not just sung
about they come straight from his heart.
'No More Mysteries' is a country-flavored song, with slide guitars and violins. Again
it would be very easy to listen to just the really good tune and miss the lyrics.
"The rock of ages, made a fool of you and me" is not a line to be glossed
over. This song, like many of Dave's recent works has a very definite spiritual message,
but he never beats the listener over the head with it. It's there to listen to, think
about and decide for yourself.
It would be a mistake to classify 'Lost in Your Arms' as just a love song. It's a
love song with a healthy dose of lust thrown in to the mix. Listen closely to the
lyrics, I dare you not to smile, there is something very funny, and a little naughty
about the line, "Other girls tried to please me, but all they gave me was anesthesia".
The last track, 'Long Lonely Road' is probably one of the most dark songs I've ever
heard Dave do. It has a Funk meets Goth intro, with a pinch of dance music. Dave's
vocals are almost menacing and the guitar swoops and dives around like a bird of
prey.
This CD is a collection of the varied writing styles, interests and influences of
Dave's music. No playing it safe here, no formulas, but all the songs show the multifaceted,
versatile, and extremely talented musician and performer that is Dave Davies.
By Leslie Ohanian
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