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SOTD: Daniel G. Harmann & the Trouble Starts - 'The Horse & the Sistine Chapel' from Risk (2010)
Apparently I'm late to the party on Harmann and company due to the fact their new album Risk is their sixth release. This Seattle-based band has been doing the circuit for a number of years, but if their earlier work is anything like Risk I'm going to be doing some catching up quite soon. While their bio says others have compared them to Jeff Buckley or Elliott Smith I hear many other things in their music. Part of it sounds a bit similar to Band of Horses, other parts remind me of early Slobberbone, and yet at other moments I'd swear I'm almost hearing Sugar, though I'm sure nobody else hears that and I can even convince myself I'm nuts. The bottom line is that Harmann and his band The Trouble Starts have an instantly familiar sound, yet don't sound just like anyone else.
'The Horse & the Sistine Chapel' is the lead single off Risk. Though a brief tune at 2:05 the song lingers with you. The guitars chime in all the right places while the drums are nice and crisp. And before you know it the song is over. I dare you to try and not hit repeat.
The version of 'Dee' that appears on Risk is a slightly reworked version from the one that appeared on the May 2009 Our Arms EP. The excellent animated video below is mesmerizing.
I suppose it's something few might find interesting, but when I heard 'Dee' it reminded me of another song but I couldn't place what it was exactly. Only later did it come to me: Holland (not the same as the band hollAnd or the metal group of the same name) had a song on their 2003 album Photographs & Tidalwaves titled 'Goodnight Texas.' Though there are many differences, the quiet/soft dynamic works for me in both cases. Once the song works into its full glory past the 3:30 mark the comparison may make more sense.
I was lucky to catch Holland on tour in 2003 while they were opening for The Elms (who were promoting their excellent Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll album). Needless to say, 'Goodnight Texas' was the highlight of their set for me.
In any case, you should check out Daniel G. Harmann & the Trouble Starts as Risk is an excellent release. Here is the band performing 'The Horse & the Sistine Chapel' at the Comet Tavern in January 2010.
