On paper it seems like Dan Wilson's going to be your typical singer-songwriter. But in execution, his material is so much better than that sort of thing. His newest record, How to Love, is out on Friday via Reveal Records, and it's something special.
Called How to Love, this album is full of plaintive, earnest material. Nearly emo in attitude, Wilson makes this heart-on-the-sleeve stuff work for the most part. "Waking Up" has a nice Oasis-ish swagger, while "Crippled Love" is more lyrical still. Dan Wilson uses his yearning delivery in tandem with his smart lyrics to make music that's really without peer when it's good. And it's the more up-tempo tunes that work best for me. "Misery and Company" has a hook like something from Comet Gain, and it's nearly as good, while "Give Myself Away" is even better. Guitar-lines that sort of spiral into the sun give the best numbers here real staying power, as do the occasional backing vocals from Pam Berry (Black Tambourine, Glo-Worm, The Pines, The Shaprios, etc.).
Dan Wilson is gifted. And your enjoyment of the selections here may depend upon your mood when you are listening to this record. I prefer Withered Hand when the touch is light, and the vibe sort of lovelorn and resigned. I can compare Wilson's work in those moments to that of Badly Drawn Boy or Mull Historiical Society. At times, Withered Hand is even better, and there are a couple of those times here on How to Love.
How to Love by Withered Hand is out on Friday via Reveal Records.
[Photo: Jannice Honey]