Kitchener-based alternative band B.D. Gottfried’s sixth album, Damien’s Lantern, is a dark, unfamiliar concept album without a theme or concept; at least so it sounds.
The four-piece group (Aaron Gottfried, vocals, George Chaggaras, guitar, Bill Gottfried, keys, drums and Jack Smith, bass) have a sparse, left-of-centre sound path that has hints of ‘80s progressive pop rock and British new wave.
It’s a subdued style with a strong ensemble feel (Save Me) that isn’t readily identifiable but is utterly unique and committed to itself. There’s no clichés or trend-whoring going on.
One song suggests or demands a disjointed ‘80s MuchMusic video (Gowan perhaps?) The song’s churning underbeat is topped with rickety guitars and keyboards that produce a weird groove –– not funky, but different.
Vocalist Aaron Gottfried sounds like he may have absorbed some of The Damned or The Stranglers presence by osmosis, but it’s real and it works.
The feeling of “other” summons up the vibe from this band and album. A healthy disregard for commerciality inhabits but doesn’t inhibit their songs – some subdued rebelliousness brings out the vibe (Hard Sell) in the songwriting.
BDG’s album has a mysterious agenda. It seems to be thematic and possesses a song cycle but hasn’t a unified thread lyrically.
Aaron Gottfried’s voice has an ill-at-ease disquiet in his delivery that becomes appealing. Overall, Damien’s Lantern has a curious effect – that of music looking for answers.
–– Dean Gordon-Smith is guitarist with Okanagan-based band Redfish and a freelance writer who reviews new music for The Morning Star in his weekly column, Street Sounds.
