Ann Arbor Paper Review by Ray Wagel

Dabenport
Self-titled
Fall Theory
A2P rating: 5.0

Residing in the raveled catacombs somewhere between country, slowcore, and dreampop is a brilliant genre-defying band. Ypsi-based Dabenport claims to “make simple country songs, and that’s all.” At the same time they have a hard time shaking off their ineluctable past as shoe-gazing rockers. But that isn’t such a bad thing. The band’s dreamescent soundscape of welded American roots music was once called “Hank Williams meets Mazzy Star,” a description that stuck for a reason. The band (Aaron Dresner, vocals, guitar; Aleise Barnett, vocals, tambourine; Vince Swain, lap steel, guitar; Jeff Navarre, bass; Robbie Linkner, drums) impels themselves by fusing their AM-radio country sensibility with space rock, creating something unlike anything else. Their independent self-titled album was recently released on Fall Theory and exemplifies a band that can make a record that parallels their live show: both are incredible experiences.

The record sounds somewhere between Palace Brothers’ Days In The Wake and the International Submarine Band’s Safe At Home and displays the band’s ability to amalgamate sounds, ideas, genres and concepts. The first track, “Midway Cowboy,” sets the stage for an album’s worth of material perfect for lonesome highway driving at 4 a.m. or a lazy day spent with the shades drawn and a pot of coffee. The album has a natural rise-and-fall rhythm, hitting extreme slowcore, dreamy declivities with songs like “Morning Afters” and “Spending My Life” then ascending with upbeat Ameri-country tracks like “Pretty Good Life” and “Get It On.” With consummate musicianship and songwriting, Dabenport has made an unsurpassed album. —Ray Wagel

Thank you!

Current Review by Kyle Norris

February 2003 Music Reviews

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Dabenport Dabenport (self-released)

Dabenport gorgeously exemplifies what country music would have been if it hadn't sold out to pop schlock.

An untraditional line-up lies at the core of their sweetness: male and female vocals, two guitars, bass, keyboards and drums (guitarist Aaron Dresner doubles on vocals). Six individuals bring a collective mindfulness to their compositions, resulting in gracefully crafted, strong and tender stuff.

The blood of Hank Williams pulses through these 11 songs, alive with country swing -- old school, laid-back, sexy and bittersweet. "Midway Cowboy" shimmers in its lovely swagger. The male and female vocal lines fuse effortlessly, finishing each other's sentences. Slow and long guitar glissandos coast, while the bass line sounds like it stepped fresh out of a Grand Ole Opry cowboy tune.

More often than not the groove mellowly glides along, bringing to mind the chillier side of Yo La Tengo. But the beat kicks in at all the right places -- driving songs like "Ego Tripping" into a focused yet fueled rock-out.

Dabenport's self-titled album makes you feel like the heroine of a black and white indie film -- road-tripping across the deep Southern heart of America with the windows down and the wind whipping your hair as a song haunts the airwaves. The entire band sings choruses over and over with a genuine ache. Its effect is breathtaking and beautiful as they chant, "And I hope this finds you, I hope this finds you well."

---Kyle Norris
Thank you!

Punk Planet Review
Current mood: devious

Our CD was reviewed in Punk Planet issue 66 March and April 2005. "Dabenport play sleepy, dreamy Americana that makes me think of cheap motels, lonely bars, overflowing ashtrays and Charles Bukowski stories. Then, out of nowhere, comes Shotgun Cain about James Brown's infamous joyride. Somehow it all makes sense."
Thanks Punk Planet. You described it to a tee.

Drastic Plastic review of the Dabenport 1rst Album

Dabenport
Fall Theory

Dabenport has crafted the perfect album to listen to under a blanket of stars, it is truly transcendent (and thankfully, they are busy at work on a new one). Get starry-eared your own self.

Review done by Craig from: http://www.drastic-plastic.com/ .

Check out the website it is very cool.

Thanks Craig!