Named for the sleeper '80s movie about a robot boy who learns to have feelings, Texas'
[DARYL] plays some of the hands-down best updates of
new wave's synth rock. Like
the Strokes covering
Gary Numan,
[DARYL] matches catchy, angular melodies to whining keyboards and
Pixies-like song structures ("Duration," "Bottle Rocket"). Touching on everything from
the Cars to
Echo & the Bunnymen to
New Order, the band's self-titled sophomore album burns through nine charged tunes with vocals reminiscent of
Joe Strummer, poppy synth melodies, and
Neu! atmospheres ("Petition").
Interpol has inherited the legacy of
Joy Division and
the Chameleons,
Radio 4 follows in the footsteps of
Gang of Four and
Public Image Ltd., and
the Faint make retro dance music, but
[DARYL] is the band who takes the most
pop elements of
new wave and somehow makes them into something with the spirit and energy of punk rock. ~ Charles Spano, All Music Guide
