Silver Circle Reviews
DAVE ARONOFF & THE PROTAGONISTS
Topless Records
"Dead Bird for Dinner"
10-song CD

Nice. A ten song, live-in-studio, pure product of America. "Dead to Me" sets the tone; it's a mock-indignant kiss-off-cum-travelogue. This is followed by a winsome ballad ("In the Dark"), a jealous lament ("Brand New Heartache"), and a spaghetti-Western rhumba with zombies! "(It Feels Like a) Good Day to Die." The pace is slowed with the spooky lament "Nothing At All" with mordant vocals by Fran Betylon and a scorching violin part by Meredith Cooper. On top of all these delightful genre workouts, there are further songs here that are so clever that it makes one wonder why this artist isn't better-known; I need only to point to the dreamy sing-song "The Man Who Wasn't There;" the goofy hokum romp "Naked Again," and the final tune, a grand old don't-give-a-damn chantey, "Going Under," replete with tumbril drums and steel guitar. Quality stuff. (Francis DiMenno)

June, 2008

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