Dito Montiel

Dito Montiel (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atco
• ASIN: B000JCEB1S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,775 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Memories from the Gutter, December 15, 2006

By 

Alydar "alydar" (New York) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dito Montiel (Audio CD)

The centerpiece of this CD, a brillant quiet ballad "I'm Not the One" which brings to mind Springsteen at his best, as Montiel warns a lover to walk away, begs for relistens. It's eloquent in its simplicity and evokes a mood of restlesness, hope and desire that sets the mood for the rest of the CD. It should have come first in the track sequence.It's spellbinding and a throwback to his earlier work with the NYC underground group, Gutterboy.
Montiel, reclaims his role as prince of the city's lower eastside with this eclectic and sometimes powerful collection of gritty NYC vignettes and mood pieces, which echoes everything from early Lou Reed, Bowie and even John Lennon to the newer contemporaries like Peter Yorn, Jesse Malin and the late Elliot Smith.
There's some hints of Montiel's early works with Gutterboy, the Astoria group who put out two very underrated and overlooked albums released in the early 90's, which featured textured harmonies, some great pop hooks and an early knack for stellar songwriting.
What makes this new Dito entry interesting is the themes of early friendships, old neighborhoods and lost loves infused with music that never sounds the same. One shortcoming of the CD is that it seems rushed to production with very scarce liner notes but this was probably done to coattail the movie Montiel directed based on his book, "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints". I just felt shortchanged not knowing if those amazing harmonies were with a former band member?
In summary, this CD is worth a listen and if you want a great song, just play and play again, the gorgeous " I'm Not the One", or the touching and folkie, " Baby Let Me Down". And I cannot leave out the two sleepers that will grow on you, "Fade Away" which I would pick as the ending credits song for a movie and "Crossing Rivers" a song so different, it grabs you with every listen. And "1987" reminds me of my old favs, the Del Lords but with less kick and more Lou Reed but how could I leave out the delicate moving "Song for Michael" which evokes earlier Gutterboy and my wish to continue "playin' my old records"
Dito, you still have it............. Get back up on the roof and heed the words penned by THE ATARIS - " Life is only as good as the memories we make .......... So long Astoria,..... AND EVEN IF WE COME HOME EMPTY HANDED WE'LL STILL HAVE OUR STORIES, OF BATTLESCARS, PIRATE SHIPS AND WOUNDED HEARTS, BROKEN BONES AND ALL THE BEST OF FRIENDSHIPS. And when the hourglass has filtered out its final grain of sand, I'll raise my glass to the memories we had, This is my wish and I'm taking it back, I'M TAKING 'EM ALL BACK. Sometimes coming back means you never really left in the first place. Hope to catch you on Mulberry Street.