Archie Bronson Outfit - Derdang Derdang (Album)
Derdang Derdang is a very catchy album name. In fact, it’s so intriguing that I was compelled to play this CD the very second it arrived in the mail. I listened intently to the opening track and with the technology of today’s disc players, I quickly listened to the opening 30 seconds of each song in the hope of discovering the next big thing in music. Sadly, I was left unsure of what all the media hyperbole surrounding the band and this album is all about. Archie Bronson Outfit have something different about them but then again, so does my ex-wife and I can tell you it ain’t something you want in side your home.
But I thought I’d let ABO settle in before I jumped to conclusions (a similar mistake made with my ex too). Perhaps a full listen in the evening accompanied by a glass of sauvignon blanc would help. Nope – still not getting excited. I’ll leave it two days. A morning listen over a cup of jasmine tea? Nah. I was feeling more desperate than Sam Windett’s painful wailing. Where is the volume control? I have to turn it off. My god, I’m sounding like my mother.
So what positives can we take from Derdang Derdang. Well if you like repetitive rhythms and enjoy counting 4/4 time to most of your songs or maybe you even like to play along using all open chords – then this is the album for you. It simply doesn’t present a challenge musically, lyrically or creatively to diverse listeners and lovers of music. The opening track 'Cherry Lips' thumps along and gives you hope that something magical might be brewing and bubbling in the ABO cauldron but sadly after the remaining ten tracks hump away at your leg with the relentless annoying feeling of a chihuahua in heat, the only magical words I uttered were “Open sesame” to my CD player disc tray.
I’m a lover of music. Let me state that proudly. ABO are also not bad musicians. They can in fact play quite well. This recording however doesn’t do a good job in promoting the band as studio genii or helps their cause as good live band. I’ve heard good things about them live. I’m sure that with a few beers under my belt and the sweaty atmosphere of the local pub permeating my nasal membranes; I’d probably enjoy an hour of watching this three piece pound it out for the punters. But we are reviewing a CD and as far as CDs go, I wouldn’t care if I didn’t hear these songs again. As songwriters, there seems to be sameness to each song which leaves me feeling bored and befuddled. I want to hear new music and say to myself, “Man I wish I had thought of writing that”. If having a unique singer is the key to a band’s viability and success in this extremely competitive music biz, ABO have a man who sounds like he’s trying hard to be something different but he doesn’t quite pull it off for me. About the only variation to the vocal depression is a lot of na na na na na-ing back up vocals which I thought had been left behind in the 1988 with Roxette. Thanks to Derdang Derdang, you can re-live the nightmare all over again.
Don’t let me dissuade you from trying out this English outfit for yourself. If you can’t afford to buy your own copy of the album, you can get hold of a promo copy of the album from Dwarf HQ soon as I’m posting my copy back today.
