Debut album by singer-songwriter Daniel Pearson.
Singer-songwriter Daniel Pearson grew up on a diet of Bruce Springsteen that was played incessantly by his Boss obsessed parents. It’s no surprise then that his debut album ‘Satellites’ is a slice of pure Americana all the way from erm.. Leeds of all places. Because of Daniel’s own love of artists like Bob Dylan and Ryan Adams this album doesn’t follow the blue collar rock approach of say ‘Born To Run’ or ‘Born In The USA’ but instead takes more of an acoustic guitar driven approach.
Don’t worry we’re not talking about the stark acoustics of Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’ here. The material on this album is genuinely uplifting and showcases Daniel’s clean, very listenable voice that to me sounds a lot like Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze. After a couple of spins I was reasonably impressed with the ten cuts that make up ‘Satellites’ but it wasn’t until I caught Nicky Horne’s Sunday night ‘Amps Off’ radio show on Planet Rock that I realised how good they were. Most of the songs I think would sit shoulder to shoulder with the classic rock acoustic songs that Nicky aired that evening. That, I think, is praise in itself to the quality of this release and Pearson’s talent as a singer-songwriter.
There’s a good mix of songs on the album from the tender and fragile acoustics of tracks like ‘Masquerade’, ‘Wave In The Sea’, ‘Civilians’ or the Dylan-esque ‘I’m Swimming Through Ashes Of Bridges I’ve Burned’ (is that a song title or what?) to the anthemic ‘Wishing Well’ or foot tappin’ stomper ‘Black N’ Blue’. Pearson also delves into new country and comes up with a couple of stormers in ‘Tracks’ and ‘4th Of July’ where he is aided and abetted by female backing vocalist Candy Hayes. These up-beat rockers would certainly appeal to fans of the Drive-By Truckers that’s for sure!
This is not an album that you’ll put on to blow your speakers apart but that doesn’t make it any less appealing. It has a well crafted charm all of its own that doesn’t need time for quiet introspection to enjoy the delights it has to offer. Oh and if you’re a regular listener of ‘Amps Off’ then you seriously need to check this out. Immediately!
Alister Strachan
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