Search - dada :: Puzzle

California '90s power pop

S. Isaacs | Denver, CO | 10/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What a fun album this one is. The production is squeaky clean and bright, the playing unerringly melodic, the guitar solos truly brilliant yet concise, and most songs well within the pop range of 3-5 minutes. The lyrics themselves help set this band apart from the rest. They're not content to just warble shiny happy tunes or wax miserable and frustrated. Instead, the lyrics are razor sharp wit. References to psychics on La Brea, Lolita, and Jim Morrison reveal this band's bent toward decadence -- and that's only on the record's arguably best track, "Posters." The song is basically an update of "Norwegian Wood," but much saucier and more visceral, with tight, TIGHT drumming and great guitar solos. More decadence is found on "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow," a great tale of a Catholic school boy turned wild hipster -- again, references to Hugh Hefner and (obliquely) William Burroughs. You get the distinct notion that the future members of Smashmouth were listening -- very closely.

What else to say about the rest? Pop hooks galore. Listen to the way the second verse leads into the chorus on "Dog," or the stunning electroacoustic strumming on "Mary Sunshine Rain." Or the excellent dynamics on the gorgeous "Dorina."

Perhaps there might be a few quibbles. The slower, more thoughtful songs drag a bit, though the final, elegiac "Moon," which bemoans a a friend's suicide, truly hits home. And if you're not one for cleverness, beware -- these guys border on being too clever for their own good.

And, yeah, these guys did hit the charts. If you were anywhere near a radio in 1992, you'll recognize "Dizz Knee Land" immediately. Not far afterward came the wilder "Dim." Altogether, a wonderful pop near-masterpiece."

Back in print at last!

Kenneth Edens | Laurel, Md. USA | 09/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After being out of print, this amazing disc is back. Great song writing, great singing, and great guitar playing. There is no filler on this disc. Each song carries it's own weight. I grew up

listening to Skynyrd, Clapton, Hendrix, Blackmore and a lot of other excelent rock and blues guitarists. I feel that Michael Gurley can play with anyone. From the range of dynamics in Dorina, to the blasting solo at the end of Dizz Knee Land, this guy is hot. After you hear this disc, you'll be out buying the rest of DADA's music. Trust me."

Awesome guitar work, stunning songs, beautiful harmonies, an

C. Thomas | Vienna, VA | 01/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been impressed by good three-piece bands. It's rare for a lead guitarist to have the chops to fill out the sound without a strong backing rhythm player. So when I hear Dada's 'Puzzle' album, with its solid guitar work, backed by competent bass playing and a drummer who is up to the task when guitarist Michael Gurley is really driving him, I enter a beautiful zone. The lush harmonies escalate the feeling. The songs are just amazing - even the simplest ones have the surprising changes, and the kind of structure and flow that define great songwriting. Unfortunately, the flow is interrupted periodically by the crashing intrusion of some truly awful lyrics; not that often, but often enough to keep an otherwise excellent album out of the five-star league. They were youngsters then; I'm pleased to hear they're still working together, and I'm hoping that more recent lyrics reflect some real maturity."