Kevin O’Hare’s Playback
dada, “How To Be Found,” (Blue Cave). 3 stars
One of the most consistently intriguing bands of the 1990s is back together after a four-year hiatus.
The lower-case loving dada recorded some exceptional albums through the years, especially “American Highway Flower,” which came out a decade ago. The Los Angeles-based trio of Joie Calio (bass), Michael Gurley (guitar) and Phil Leavitt (drums) pick up where they left off on this 13-song set of smart pop. “How to Be Found,” is bolstered by rich dynamics, a sharp sense of melody and precision-like instrumental work.
How To Be Found
Gurley’s guitar playing is masterful in tracks like “Nothing Like You,” while Calio anchors the bottom end, even dropping some industrial, fuzz-tone bass smack dab into the pop hooks of “Any Day The Wind Blows.” The pair’s harmonizing and overlapping vocals add to dada’s distinctive sound, and they’ve come up with some strong material in songs such as the windswept “Reason,” and the Crazy Horse echoes of “Guitar Girl.”
- Kevin O’Hare
Source: The Republican
