Search - Dolly Varden :: Dumbest Magnets

I wish all "alternative-country" sounded like this

paul matthews | NY, NY | 07/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a year of seeing bands like Wilco, Pernice Bros., Old '97s, and the Jayhawks and being disappointed at the lack of emotion behind the performances of songs I liked on CD I'm so glad I accidentally found Dolly Varden. It seems that their last CD was recorded by Bundy K. Brown(Tortoise) and featured David Grubbs(Gastr del Sol) and Julie Lui(June of 44, Rex) so when I bought Dumbest Magnets I was expecting Chicago indie minimalism. Instead I got an emotional feast of slide guitar and male and female vocal harmonies recalling Linda & Richard Thompson at their best. Somehow they mix the sadness of Mazzy Star's first disc with the pop sensibility of Magnetic Fields. All in all they put the whole lot of "no-depression" bands to shame by producing music that is simultaneously honest, engaging and heart wrenching."

Crafted Brillance

Philip M. Richer | Los Angeles | 05/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is fantastic. I first heard Dolly Varden on the Bob Harris show on Radio-2. Check for great music www.bobharris.org and listen in on Saturday evenings. Dolly varden's album is so well crafted and the music is relaxing, challenging and the vocals are haunting. Musically it is brillaint from the very atmospheric "Apple Doll" and "Too Good to Believe" and the title track "Dumbest Magnets". Truly a gem..."

What music should be

John Crowell | Chicago, IL USA | 09/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD rocks, flies direct, avoids being maudlin but also avoids being sappy. Intelligent lyrics and tasty music, all original, by turns melodic, high-energy, noble. There is a broader range of styles and arrangements than usual: straight-ahead ballad, to near-Lyle-Lovett, to fun-lovin', guitar-powered rocker to near-Van-Morrison half-time feel.The lead vocalists twine around each other, sometimes apparently into one undulating voice. The band backing them is solid -- I particularly like the intelligent, quirky solo guitar.Buy it!"