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Artist: The Dalloways

Album: Penalty Crusade

Publication: Earfood

Category: Review

Writer: Ken Glanton

Date: 08/30/2005

Website: http://www.earfood.net/earblog/

Review Link: http://www.earfood.net/earblog/article.php?story=20050825181857285

The Dalloways emailed us here at Earfood HQ one day, and asked if they could send us a submission for review. We of course said yes, as we will to anyone else that asks. (If we don't like it we just don't post on it, we hate to say negative things about music.) That said, please send us material for review. So far most of the material submitted to us has been amazing, and The Dalloways full length “Penalty Crusade” is no exception. To say that these guys and one gal are influenced by the dream-pop of the eighties would be an understatement. Before we get into the music you might be interested to know the connection between this record and the film Napoleon Dynamite. The girl on the cover (which we have shown) is Yuka Ruell who is Aaron Ruell’s (Kip) real life wife. She also played Uncle Rico’s girlfriend at the end of the movie. The guys from Napoleon Dynamite are speaking here in our hometown in 5 days, which should be hysterical.

The Dalloways are a nice mix of dreamy California pop, and Brit-pop. Fans of Broken Social Scene, Stars, Doves, and Belle and Sebastian will probably dig The Dalloways. However the most obvious comparison (which seems to be happening to me a lot the past few months) would be the Smiths. The whole vibe of the record screams The Smiths at us, all the while remain quiet and contemplative. The production of the record is brilliant, and the band (who produced the record themselves) clearly knew which knobs to turn, and the outcome is a beautiful pop record with a nod to the beautiful pop records of the '80s. Everybody makes fun of the '80s, but these days there are so many bands that left the '80s with the right influences. Pop songs were great in the '80, even the one hit wonders got it better than the one hit wonders of today. The '80s gave us bands like The Smiths, The Replacements, REM, etc.

Anyway The Dalloways have made a beautiful record, beautifully produced that everyone should check out, especially if you realize the good that came from the '80s or you love Belle and Sebastian like do. Earfood picks from the record include “How Can I Explain?” and “A Place To Call Our Home”. With the eighties revival in full swing, The Dalloways seem to be coming along at just the right time.