Dan Webb takes his cues from the world of classic rock with his sophomore EP, Hyperspace Clearance.
It’s a suitably far out name for a disc which revels in the music of the 60s and 70s. It’s not a carbon copy of the acts that came before, but Dan certainly wears his influences on his sleeve. He allows the artists of the past to inform his music, adding a hint of psychedelia here and a whiff of progressive rock there.
Perhaps it’s my love of The Doors that makes “These Walls” the standout for me. I love its cool, rollicking bass line and lush Hammond organ. Vocally Dan Webb is a world away from Jim Morrison’s lush baritone, but if the band were to have gone in a different direction I imagine they’d have made a song like this.
Dan’s heavy handed piano style, quirky songwriting, and musical smarts make a big impression. He creates a really lush sound by layering up to six keyboards over one another; it’s reminiscent of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound in the very best way. Clearly this is an artist who enjoys experimenting. On this disc we see him learning about his potential and sound. But rather than feeling simply like we’re listening to someone testing things out, we enjoy being taken on this musical journey.
In just four songs Dan Webb makes a big impression with Hyperspace Clearance, one which leaves me wondering where he’ll take us next.
Image source: JB HiFi website