Pop is one of the trickiest genres in music. Too bubbly, and the music feels fake and cheesy (Howie Day). Too blunt, and you can be stuck with controversy (Lady Gaga). Too bland, and you just lose you're audience (every boy band ever). There will hardly ever be pop music that pleases everybody, especially in todays day and age. However, one of the most tried and true pop solutions is the singer-songwriter. Every Joe Shmo in a hip coffee bar downtown throws the title around their neck and strums their normally up or down love life through their guitar, and into the ears of the four or five people enjoying their latte's. Heck, I know like five people who call themselves singer songwriters. It's as popular as being called "indie". The difference is that some artists manage to fill the title a little more than others.
Dave Barnes grew up like many singer-songwriters did; in a good family in suburban Mississippi. After high school, Barnes went to Middle Tennessee University where he began writing songs for other performers on campus. When he graduated with a degree in recording industry management, he packed up and moved to Nashville where he put his band together. The band has released four albums, the last of which being What We Want, What We Get.
Dave has always been a guy that I really enjoy hearing, but he hasn't really changed my life. I mean, he's really good, but i've never really seen him as fantastic. But, looking back on it, he is one of the artists I listen to the most. His lyrics can seem kind of cheesy, or far fetched even, but theres a place for that. His music is nice and catchy too. He likes to keep things pretty light and simple, and that pairs like peanut butter and jelly with his song-writing. What We Want, What We Get is a pretty solid continuation of the pop maestro's discography.
The album opens with "Little Lies", one of the most catchy songs Dave Barnes has written. I was singing it for days down in Nashville last week. The lyrics describe a nice down home teenage relationship, and the music is on par. It's what a good pop song should be; fun, light, and catchy (word of the day). There's a few more on the album that have the same effect. "Look So Easy" rides a loose back beat tied together with laid back vocals to give off a sunday morning vibe. I dono, it's hard to describe, I just sense Sunday's through it. Give it a listen down below.
There are a couple of songs that simply aren't as good as others. "Chameleon" has a nice chorus, but it's a forgettable song. The last song on the album, "Amen" tries to sound like country, but with Dave on vocals. It doesn't work quite right. Take out the steel guitar, and we can talk. There are always one or two songs on Dave's albums that I'm not crazy about, but like I said earlier, pop music is going to affect people different ways. Most of the album is very good.
I'm gonna see this guy down at the Bijou tomorrow night, and he usually puts on a pretty good show. I guess Knoxville kind of became a launching point for Barnes, and he plays here a lot. He played down at Sundown just last year, so he's a bit of a Knoxville favorite. Plus, his concerts bring out fine ladies out the wazoo. I'll be sure to let you know how the concert goes, followed by Asher Roth, Floggin Molly, and Passion Pit the Friday night. Until then, ANDY OUT YO!
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