October 2010

And then theres Daniel.  His tones and playing are otherworldly, creating huge soundscapes without the use of reverb.   Instead, Lanois prefers to use Echo and Modulated Delays to get his unique sonic character.  Tricks he picked up from working side by side with Brian Eno Im sure.

Now for the songs.  Black Dub takes you on an adventurous ride.  Opening with “Love Lives,” I Lanois signature production takes center stage.  The intro alone makes me feel like Im listening to 10 years of U2 albums in 20 seconds.  He makes mixing a performance, using the mixing desk as an instrument.  Hard mutes, ear candy echos  dropping in and out – its classic dub mixing.  Youll hear these techniques revisited throughout the album.

Next is “I Believe In You.”  Trixie dominates on this track with dry, up front vocals matched with a deep groove from Blade and Johnson.  Listen closely to Blades hi-hat work and Daryls bass runs.  “Ring The Alarm” is next.  See accompanying video recorded during a rehearsal last year at Lanois house.  Blades drumming on this tune is ferocious and my favorite on the album.  Its explosive, but steady. Controlled, yet expressive.  Lanois paints a wall of sound with a collage of guitar parts that feel completely separate and disjointed, but all part of the same voice. How he makes this work is beyond me, but I love it.  There is a moment at 5:21 where if you close your eyes, youll swear Jimi just walked through the room, put his arms around Daniel and plucked a line or two out on the guitar, then kept on walking.  “Last Time” is a reworking of a tune on Lanois last solo album, Here Is What Is that previously featured Blades father covering vocals.  On this version Trixie and Daniel take it to a whole new place with her vocal styling and his sonic treatments.  “Surely” slows things down with a beautiful soul ballad.  Trixie rises to the occasion on this one and delivers a stirring performance. “Nomad” is a deep shuffle that again highlights what a good pair Blade and Johnson can be.  Lanois roomy guitar tone on this one makes my arm hair stand up.  Silverado features another strong performance from Trixie Whitely.  It is also an interesting combination of influences, fusing reggae rhythms, gospel vocals and ambient Lanois guitar textures together.

The last couple of songs on the album are what make this body of work feel like a complete record.  While earlier songs like “I Believe In You,” “Ring The Alarm,” and “Surely” will garner the most attention, songs at the end like “Canaan” and “Sing” are perhaps my favorite.  “Canaan” features Lanois on lead vocals and reminds me of his early solo work on “Acadie” or even “Shine.”  Youll definitely leave this one with the refrain stuck in your head.  “Sing” is one of those songs that you could play for just about any music lover and I think they would like it.  Its built around a very New Orleans-feeling groove and the group vocals on the chorus take you back to another time.  Its a  joyous song with lyrics that makes me feel like Im at a revival.

Sing, Sing Sing for the night
Sing for your supper, sing for whats right
Sing for the holy ghost, sing for yourself
Sing for the blue sky above.

The album closes with an instrumental soundscape called “Sirens” that serves as a great bookend and reinforces the idea of a “record.”  Ive listened to this album about fifteen times in the past week and most of the time its front to back with minimal interruption. Like most Lanois productions, Black Dub takes you to different places and the sounds evoke a reaction – sometimes jarring, sometimes soothing.  But the fact that it moves you in one way or the other tells me its more than music. Its art.  I could go on and on. Just buy the album on November 2^nd and catch their tour consisting of eight shows throughout the US, including Lincoln Hall on November 23^rd.

Black Dub – I Believe In You

Video: Black Dub – Ring The Alarm (live in studio)

“Black Dub” in the studio – “Ring the Alarm” from Daniel Lanois on Vimeo.