Customer Reviews

Fractured Mindz

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dave Davies is indeed a true rock 'n' roll original. Dave, does not make records like everybody else.
Three years after the stroke, this is the first new music he has produced since the wonderful: "God in my Brain",
way back in January 2006.

Now, it's August 2007, and Dave gives us: "Fractured Mindz." Well, I can say? This CD sounds like nothing else that has been released this year. I'm still getting used to this one. This disc begins with: "This is the Time" Dave steps out of his space craft and sings of an "Spiritual army to change the world." Weird synths and tape loops dominate this one, but the man speaks of peace. Next up is: "Free Me" and it features those power chords you know and love. This one is statement to our present state of affairs ("Free me from the Government") And the solo featured here is classic Dave. Good message...Great riff. "All About Me", is Louis XIII on acid, I can't figure this one out... BUT, Dave in his madness is having real fun here. "Come to the River" is a power-blues, and sticks to theme of this record of a broken world and Dave's cry for spirituality.

A love song is next: "Giving" and Dave pleads for love here, and it sounds like Ray on the second vocal part (Is that possible?). This could have been the great lost gem from "Misfits"....very nice. On: "Remember Who You Are" crisp acoustic guitars drive this lively pop right along. This is classic-Davies, as it's clever and fun..."The Waiting Hours" is another cry for help, and "Rock Siva" features THAT riff from "All Of The Day, And All Of The Night"...Getting beyond the chords, this is an rock 'n' roll prayer with cool King Crimson-like saxophones) this one is WAAAY different...but nice. "The Blessing" is a space-interlude leading us to..."Fractured Mindz" that can only be described as a: "Pyscho Space Chant" but, surprise folks it's a love song (from Mars).

Again, Dave Davies is different from mere mortals. The near-fatal stroke he suffered has changed him as Well. He is ageless and out on the fringes. His music is not for everyone BUT when you are in the mood for something original and fresh, this is it.

*** NOTE: The title of this review comes from a concert that I attended at Winterland, San Francisco in 1977. Ray and Dave were at odds that night, and tension ran high on stage. Ray kept yelling: "My little brother, Dave-Death-of-a-Clown-Davies" and Dave would scream back at him: "There are space-beasties in me head"....Every time I gaze at the cover art here I am transported back to that night. I hope this music will transport you.
Three Stars

3 and half stars. Better than expected. If you like the Kinks or the solo material (Ray or Dave). Add this one to your list...not to the top, but not the bottom either.

If you consider "BUG" his masterpiece (I do) this could be considered a huge letdown. But, if you look at this as the first comprehensive realese from a rock legend who has recovered from near death to resume making music again, it is a triumphant return. I admit to being exciting when I had previously heard "God in my Brain" which preceded this release by a year or so. That said, nothing on Fractured Mindz reaches those heights.

There are some good moments and other that just seem forced and underdeveloped. "Come to the River" has a real cool riff that builds the song up nicely. Many just sound unfinished, bizarre or just plain mediocre. They almost revert my mind back to the thought that Dave always contributed high caliber songs to Kinks records when he only contributed one or two. Possibly this is just too much for a writer who at times has appeared to have prolific limitations? But then I return to early masterpieces like the underappreciated "Chosen People" and the more recent "BUG" and it makes clear what the man is capable of producing.

Maybe this release is just baby steps to Dave re-establishing himself and finding his groove again. There are a lot of ideas being thrown out here and the creative juices seem to be flowing, but I just don't hear high quality songs. But, I do still hear the potential for some great things to come from one of rock n rolls greatest treasures and arguably the true inventor of power chord hard rock.

PS: Consider re-visting "Choseen People" which deserved and still does much more widespread appreciation. And, of course "BUG" which may be the greatest retro rock classic produced in this decade.

This is a great CD. I like just about every song on it.
Its a tragedy that Dave had a stroke but he made this
album during his recovery and it is excellent. His guitar
and his powerfull guitar riffs are spine tingling just like
they were when he was with The Kinks. What more can i say.
You should buy this album and check out what Dave has been
doing lately.