Reviewed by: Rox 14 August, 1998
For The Record (no pun)
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Apartment #635,
DAG’s much anticipated follow up to 1994’s impressive Righteous does not disappoint. Where Righteous was more of a 90’s adaptation of Earth, Wind and Fire and any porno soundtrack (thanks Anthony and Rob)from the 70’s, #635 is more polished and focused. It's a moderate progression beyond the possibilities of Righteous, though is nowhere near as interesting. That does not make it a bad record, just more accessible.
Following Righteous the band broke up, and many fans were dejected knowing that one of the coolest non-grunge bands from the early 90’s would not be back.
Luckily, the members of the band and producer/songwriter John Custer were able to regroup and begin work on #635. Departed was keyboard player Doug Jervey, and added were Jen Gunderman, Kai Kai Alexander and Lisimba Moyenda. The result is a broader palette to paint the distinctive Dag sound.
DAG will never receive radio air-play. Their sound is not edgy enough for alternative rock, and not simple (or sampled) enough for hip hop radio. Their fans probably like it that way as they’ll always be able to enjoy the band in smaller venues. Of course in 10 years, they will receive considerable play in AM radio formats much as Elvis Costello does now.
Vocalist/bassist Bobby Patterson has soul dripping off of him so thick I got some stuck in my CD changer. Drummer Kenny Soule completes the rhythm section that defines DAG’s sound and It’s highly likely that guitarist Brian Dennis was actually at one point in the Jackson Five—he defines tight almost as well as Rob Sherman.
#635 is more focused, and having said that, at times does sound repetitive. Of course if there’s sex in the air, this is not a bad thing. Righteous was more varied, and in my mind took more chances. #635 is a tight record with richer textures and is a very good listen. This is a great summer record...all you want to do when listening to it is screw. It's also a great spring and fall record (for anticipation of, and rememberance of the same).
The album is full of thick rhythms and great dance grooves. The only weak tracks on the record are the two ballads, which are predictable and cliche. The album is well produced, and hopefully is accessible enough that the band will be able to stay together.
Rather than bore you with faux critic-speak, I’ll leave you instead with my notes on the 8th and 9th listens while writing this review.
#1 "Our Love would Be Much Better
(If I Gave A Damn About You)"...fat groove...hooky....awesome to dance/grind to...want to dance.
#2 "Girl Had It Good"...more of a low key R & B bone-type song.
#3 "You Make Me Feel"...great vocal expression...real strong.
#4 "Apartment #635"....trippy intro...lo-fi drums and a great groove...
#5 "Ruin You"...eh...see all of the above.
#6 "Shine"...lenny...ivan...maxwell...ballad...chicks
get wet...ordinary....zzzzzzz
#7 "Worldspinning"...phat bass...P-Funk or WAR...one of the creative departures from the rest of the record...more of a jam than anything else.
#8 "If It’s On"...good dance tune...good bass work...nice break down.
#9 "Supercollider"...love this tune...kind of jazz-y...piano work strong...might make the radio if #1 doesn’t...very creative orchestration.
#10 "If You Ever Need A Heart"...the other ballad...zzzzzzz...ordinary...I remember the first time I heard "Purple Rain".