One of the things I love most about writing this blog is that it allows me to discover some fantastic new music. The most recent disc to rev me is Dave Anderson’s soon-to-be-released debut album Wish it All Away.
It’s an album with all the right ingredients. The songs are original, yet accessible. Dave’s voice is warm and rich, like an old friend drawing you in from the first listen. And fans of organic music will love the soothing acoustic guitar chords that draw it all together.
It opens with “Sing Me a Song,” a tongue-in-cheek track chiding the punters who only want to hear cover versions. Its melody is radio friendly, but the lyrics reveal a darker criticism of the bar scene. We hear more contradictions in “Love is a Fairytale.” The music is upbeat and on first listen it appears like any traditional love song, but take a listen to the lyrics and you’ll hear something sadder and more unique.
The bubbly opening tunes give way to softer sounds as the album progresses. Dave crafts a clever pop song, and he proves equally adept at creating moving ballads. The final cut, “Promise I Made” utterly floored me.
Wish it All Away is even more impressive when you consider it is entirely self-funded. I’m not sure the major labels could have made it sound any more professional.
Dave Anderson is a real find. This Perth-born, Sydney-based singer-songwriter may have drawn comparisons to Pete Murray and Something for Kate, but I believe his songs have a much wider appeal.
The album is scheduled to hit shelves on 1 June, and will be available through iTunes on 1 July. Dave Anderson will play the following venues in support of its release. If you want to hear some great tunes, I suggest checking out this amazing talent at the following venues.
6 June 2008 – Hyde Park Hotel, Perth
8 June 2008 – Dunsborough Hotel, Western Australia
19 June 2008 – The Vanguard, Sydney
21 June 2008 – Fix Bar, Melbourne
Image supplied by the artist