#510 (Conventional nation) on the Nation DDS.
Oh bless this man’s coronary heart. He thinks it’s nonetheless 1990 and you’ll launch a rustic file with none snap tracks, entice beats, tractor rapping, Auto-tune, or different wiggety wah wah and nonetheless get folks to go wild over it. Doesn’t he know that metal guitar and fiddle are passé and drained, and a tune isn’t executed till it’s been handed round between seven totally different writers on a zoom name?
Apparently, Dan Lepien is completely unaware of all of those requisites for contemporary nation, and in addition thinks that traditional ol’ nation tune themes can nonetheless cross the muster with present-day audiences. And he’s proudly from Wisconsin? That received’t fly for a rustic music origin story, nor will a reputation like “Dan Lepien.” He ought to change it to Chase Steelsaddle, or one thing. That’s received a hoop to it.
However plain ol’ Dan Lepien from Sauk Metropolis, WI doesn’t appear too excited about any of those considerations about him or his music. As a substitute he’s targeted on what true nation ought to sound like, and attempting to maintain these traditions alive. So with ten authentic tunes and a voice born to sing conventional nation, he presents The Honky Tonk Conventional.
Don’t anticipate something too fancy, and most undoubtedly don’t anticipate something sudden to come back flying out of left area like a drum loop breakdown or a hip-hop collaboration. The truth is, the opening tune “Nation Proud” is all about Lepien’s unabashed allegiance to nation music.
The topic of nation music itself comes into play usually on the album, from discovering solace within the outdated classics on “Jukebox My Troubles Away,” to maybe the best-written and most poignant tune on the album, “I Killed Nation Music”—and don’t get anxious by the title. The lyrical hook comes with a terrific plot twist.
However to emulate nice nation music, you may’t simply pay homage, you must contribute your individual. “Neon Dream” is a enjoyable little honky tonk tune, whereas Dan Lepien tries his hand with the outdated nation custom of weaving phrases again on themselves within the tune “She’s Gone For Good (And I’ll Be Good Once I’m Gone).”
The best factor concerning the album can also be the one factor you may carry up as a priority. It’s so straight forward conventional nation, it doesn’t precisely current something totally distinctive or novel, even when the songwriting is authentic sufficient, and the instrumentation/manufacturing is spot on. However that’s once you get when your prime precedence is preserving custom.
To assist the album, Dan Lepien is embarking on a 12-city tour … of Wisconsin. Effectively, and one date in Illinois. And should you don’t suppose you may be nation whereas being based mostly in Wisconsin, Dan Lepien is right here to show you flawed, identical to he proves how like an excellent pair of denims or cowboy boots, true nation music by no means goes out of favor.
I need royalties if he modifies his identify to Chase Steelsaddle although.
1 3/4 Weapons Up (8/10)
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