"Neon And Gold"

2006 Torito Bravo Records

Score:  8 (of 10) 

Dan Wallace, who in the past has written music for film and theatre, and fronted The Pindrops, has released his newest album, Neon And Gold on Torito Bravo Records. 

Neon And Gold is a rarity of an album, in that though it can be compared to other music, it is not easily categorized.  The music is indie rock with some strong pop and folksy singer-songwriter elements to it.  The songs cover the spectrum from Ben Foldsy piano numbers like “Vante Left Them Human,” to rockers like “Maybe,” which features a great guitar hook and an awesome solo. 

Wallace has a good baritone voice, but in a bit of a quirky way; at times Wallace sounds like Scott Weiland on his 12 Bar Blues solo album.  The album features well-written, fairly catchy lyrics, such as on “Maybe:” “We will escape the living rooms, riding away on magic brooms/ Some things may never change but I’m not to blame/ Maybe you’re the crazy one they sing of/ Hey, I can deal with that.” 

Overall:  An original, well-played album.  On top of being an accomplished musician Dan Wallace looks like Chris Elliot’s longhaired twin brother…not that that has anything to do with anything.