steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Daniel G. Harmann

"the Lake Effect" CD

Post436 Records

Genres: indie rock, indie pop

Post436
12511 Ringwood Ave
Orlando FL 32837

Nov 15 - 21 2004

Daniel G. Harmann is a passionate, low-key bedroom artist with a penchant for warm, infectious love songs.  the Lake Effect, Harmann's debut album, is at times reminiscent of Red House Painters, Pedro The Lion, and Low.  Its sensitive side is really defined, with lush, heartbreaking melodies and unfailingly romantic lyrics in droves; clearly, Harmann isn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, but nothing here is corny at all.

While Harmann sometimes drifts into Low-esque dreariness ("Fade In/Fade Out") and long-winded instrumentalism ("Ghost of the New Harbor"), his mainstays are Coldplay-style emotional rock ("Broken Will, Bleeding Heart," "One Last Thing:") and articulate, well-defined acoustic pop.  "Location is Everything" and "Nineteen Forty Five" rely on simple, guitar-led arrangements to accompany Harmann's passionate voice, and the combination, though simple, is a successful blend.   Particularly memorable on this disc are dramatic rocker "Cold, A Whole Minute" and sobering epic "Sometimes I Forget My Name."

the Lake Effect is immediately endearing, and its songs seem to get better over time.  While Harmann's lyrical motives are somewhat unidimensional, and his breathy, saddened vocals can become a bit repetitive over time, an album like this can be enjoyed by anyone unafraid of a bit of sincerely angsty emotion.

86%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 10 tracks, distributed by Redeye Distribution, released 2004]