Customer Reviews

On the Strength of All Convinced (Dig)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been a DLD fan for some time now. I saw them live in 2004 and bought the self titled CD. It was awesome. Almost every song acoustic and mellow. A truly great band with awesome talent. Later, DLD released an EP. Sadly, it didn't really meet the greatness that their full-length did. It tried to be more powerful by getting rid of the acoustic thing, but failed and just made a decent atmospheric emo CD. I didn't lose faith though, and waited for this CD to come out. "On the strength of all convinced" is the CD fans have been waiting for. It's also the band's first foray out of the indie scene. They've finally achieved the status that's been needed for so long, probably through means of the internet.

At first I was skeptical about this CD. It sounded much like an extended version of "closing down the pattern department." I felt that DLD had failed me again. Still though, i listened on. Finally, I found some common ground in the song: Pollen and Salt. It sounded like something off of their first release. It had that raw acoustic guitar talent that seemed to be missing from CDTPD. After that, the whole album just clicked. Every song became enjoyable. The fact is, DLD have finally found their sound. Previously they couldn't decide if they wanted to do acoustic music or upbeat power popish stuff. With OTSOAC, they prove that they can do both at once. They prove it well.

Everything great about DLD recieves an upgrade here. It's about time too! There's so much to like about this record, I could go on forever. Firstly, Kenny's lyrical talent has expanded greatly. Given, he has always been great with wording but it truly shines here. Especially in songs like "a year on an airplane" where Kenny shows he can use metaphor quite well.

Another awesome thing about this CD is the variation. It's not often that a band can make a CD of songs this diverse, and keep up the pace throughout. A problem I had with the full-length was that there were a couple of songs that sort of sucked, despite the other ones being awesome. OTSOAC eliminates this issue, by making every song a fresh and enjoyable experience.

DLD has evolved into something that defies the boundaries of EMO band. Yes, a lot of songs here are optimistic. Would you look at that? An emo band that doesn't just sing about heartbreak and hurt! I guarantee the upbeatness found here will put a smile on most anyone's face. Great stuff

As some of you might know, DLD is from Seattle, and it shows, moreso on here that ever. The influences are pretty obvious. Copeland, Jimmy Eat World, any emo related or indie band. Don't get me wrong though, DLD sounds much different than all those bands. They have such a unique sound. There will always be people that say they are only riding the emo-pop band wagon, but I refuse to believe that. They have been around too long to be called an imitation.

I would highly recommend this for fans of copeland or Jimmy eat world. DLD is also on tour right now so visit the wedsite for dates. You won't be dissapointed.

Daphne Loves Derby. I first saw them back in the day about two years ago at the Kirkland Teen Center, and i received a copy of a bunch of their songs from one of my friends who'd been there from the start.

Midnight highway, Simply STarving to be Safe, Middle Middle, Closing Down the Pattern Department - these songs were songs that belonged on an album, not on EP's without a label behind them. Finally, DLD signed with Outlook Records and got their fair due for their amazing songwriting capabilities.

I wondered, if recording an album would prove to be more difficult for DLD. On their previous album (self-titled), Come Winter, hopeless Love, and Midnight Highway were amazing songs, mostly acoustic. The new Come Winter was an amazing take on the old song, and proved where Daphne was headed. I've found that DLD does best with about 4 song-EP's, because all the songs are solid. I opened up the CD tentatively, and i threw it into the jukebox.

In iTunes, i rated the songs. Only two songs recieved a 3 star rating, and 6 songs received a 5 star rating from me. I love this band, and they came through with an amazing first album. Highlights from the album are the harder rocking tracks (Hammers and Hearts, What We Have Been Waiting For) which were actually a little bit unexpected, they're amazing songs. I expected some amazing acoustic songs, and the one that truly stood out to me was Pollen and Salt. I was awestruck when I listened to this song, Kenny has progressed as a guitar player, and his voice has only gotten better. I could fall asleep to this song forever.

Other highlights are the newer version of Middle Middle (which I think is nice, but the acoustic guitar could've been turned up a bit in the recording process), with bithday Gallery and A Year on an Airplane coming in as solid tracks.

If you are a fan of Daphne Loves Derby, you NEED this album. It adds on and furthers their musical genius, and as I sit here writing this review, I cannot wait until their next album comes out.

Daphne Loves Derby is pretty cheesy and a guilty pleasure, but they have genuine heart. Their problem is that they aren't entirely appealing to non-emo fans. The singer, especially, is not for everyone as he as a distinctly whiny voice. Thankfully every song is good and the lyrics are somewhat deep and worth hearing. The musicianship is slightly lo-fi indie rock with a little garage rock and acoustic guitars thrown in, but it's usually good (though more catchy than interesting I think). They certainly know how to create a great hook. It was a hard decision to make, but I don't think I could give this "5" stars. It doesn't seem to really "wow" me enough, I suppose. It's definitely not an album that most people will enjoy, but emo fans will like it a lot. If you like this album I would also highly recommend JamisonParkers' "Sleepwalker". Recommended!

Highlgihts include:
the entire album!

This cd, is good. In fact it's amazing. If your a fan of mellow, poppy music, good hooks, and beautiful lyrics then this cd is for you. To put it simply, anyone will be able to enjoy this cd. Daphne loves Derby doens't get too loud, but the way the cd is put together is worth it.

However there are a few songs i didnt really like, but we cant all like the same thing. There's only one or two songs i didnt like out of the whole cd which is better than liking only one song. This is a good cd to listen to, and just sing along. The listeners can easily relate to what Kenny sings about. Everything on the cd is wonderful, and i bet even the songs i dont really like will grow on me with time.

If your skeptical at least give the cd one listen. Give it a chance, you never know if you'll end up liking it. This band is worth it. They are very dedicated to their fans.

This was a great CD, with a few fall fallbacks. when you first pop in the CD DLD takes you in and by the 3rd song calms you down, but really never climax's in its energy. the CD is def a buy and a must listen but i feel that at the end of it all you'll say, some things could have been better.

This is a great album! It's poppy and fun and it is overall good from start to finsih. It's nothing super special or unique but it is music that is done really well. The songs are written great and the vocals are awesome! For fans of the poppy emo music this is a great record to consider adding to the collection! It really is a good time

i have been listening to daphne loves derby for over two years and their music styles has changed. i'm not saying its a bad thing; their sound has evolved to something genuine, something unique. i can't even put it to words but it is simply beautiful. 5 of my favorite songs in this album is "a year on an airplane," "birthday gallery," "you versus the sea," "middle middle," and "dirt doesn't travel." "middle middle" is an old home demo track of theirs and their new rendition of the song is completly amazing. and the hidden track "dirt doesn't travel" does not fit in any one of their songs in the album, which why many say daphne loves derby expanded their styles of music. however, i like this track because its different and has a gatsby's american dream feel to it. great cd. buy it.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to welcome the return of rock. And by rock, I don't mean the pseudo-punk bands that sound more like the Backstreet Boys than The Clash (think Good Charlotte) or the pretentious rock coming out of New York (think the Strokes). I'm talking about the old time rock and roll Bob Seger talked about. This rock can be found in the form of Daphne Loves Derby. O.K., the name is cheesy in a Jonnie Loves Chachi kind of way, but it's not anywise than Hoobastank or Limp Bizquit, and the music is definably better than those bands. On the rock spectrum, DLD falls somewhere between Better Than Ezra and Jimmy Eat World.

The music stays upbeat throughout On the Strength of All Convinced, slowing down for Birthday Gallery, a song about a guy trying to accept everything a girl tells him, "Believe me, I believe everything you say. Even if you claimed you heard a ghost sing songs." They also slow it down for the acoustic Pollen and Salt and the mellow Debussie. With the song Kirby, DLD channels their northwest roots with a grunge influenced vibe (they grew up not far from Seattle). On the downside, it's hard to distinguish some song from other and with only ten songs; the album can get repetitive real quickly.

Lyrically is where the band shines, topics range admiration of a girl (You, Are the strength inside my veins. Oh, I want to feel the strength you know. - Sundays), pondering the end of a relationship (Don't ask me to think good intentions will change everything. This could be the last day that I hold my breath and wait for you. - Hammers and Hearts), and regret (Please let me take your pain away for one day - Middle Middle). Hopefully this album is only a sign of what's to come. If they can branch out musically in the future, they will be around fort a long time.

I discovered DLD by watching the video for Hammers and Heart on LAUNCH. Fell in love with that, went out and bought this - and I love just about every song. This is an incredible band. My personal favorite tracks are Pollen and Salt, Sundays, and A Year in an Airplane.

This band has been around for a few years now, and its about time that they got their talent out to the public. True, they had released many songs on purevolume.com, and had another cd (closing down the pattern department), but this album seems to have really made an impact. Every track on this album is a newer song, except for Middle Middle, which is one of my favorites. I highly reccomend this cd/band to anyone who has a unique taste in music, and enjoys lyrics with deeper meanings. And if you're not sure if you'll like this band, check them out on [...], or go to their site to learn more about them, and support them! I just hope it isn't too long before they release their next album.