The Dalloways – Penalty Crusade / 2005 Bird In Box / 11 Tracks / http://www.dalloways.com / http://www.birdinbox.com / Reviewed 19 August 2005

The tightness of The Dalloways should be the first thing that anyone listening into “Penalty Crusade” notices about the band. Move past the inoffensive brand of brit-rock that issues from the disc and listen to the interaction that the guitar, bass and drums have and be amazed. Add a skillful hand mastering the album and “Penalty Crusade” is a disc of hits. The tracks on “Penalty Crusade” are much more than simplistic singles cut for the pop-loving market; when only one track is below four minutes, these are exercises into the psyche of The Dalloways (as a band). “Penalty Crusade” (the track) is a wonderful mini-epic; each second of the track showcases a very sedate and dense arrangement that is always in context. During the track, there are no solos that make individuals wonder, no out-of-step drum hits – just a well-oiled machine creating intricate works of art.

It becomes a challenge during “Penalty Crusade” to see if one (as a listener) can honestly withdraw themselves from the experience of the disc. To just get an idea of how involved one can get, just listen to one track off the disc – “How Can I Explain” puts forth a multiple-part harmony, a bass line that chugs along, splashing drums and the strains of violin. Each of them alone would be just cause to continue listening, but are contained in such proximity they become a net to ensnare anyone unlucky enough to listen.

The melancholy horn present on “Elected To Tell You” will put a listeners emotions into a tizzy and even bring the lachrymal glands into overdrive. The stretched-out vocals that reside in this track are the perfect mate for the horn, which allows the disc to achieve a transcendent sound that is more than simply the output of three members – the band has assumed consciousness and created something that we as humans can only begin to understand. Look beyond the glitz and glamour that surrounds the current bands pushed by million-dollar conglomerates; one’s mind, body and soul will be utterly sated by the music contained within on this disc, whether “Penalty Crusade” is seven months, seven years, or seven decades old. The fact is simply that the vocals on tracks like “A Place To Call Our Own” are extra icing on the cake; the instrumentation, if given the stage would be easily the equivalent to anything composers worldwide could create.

Top Tracks: A Place To Call Our Own, How Can I Explain

Rating: 7.1/10