Have You Heard...
07/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Dan Haas is back with a new CD which has been pre-released to great local buzz. Every Dan Haas fan knows that he deserves to break in on the national level. This album of songs reinforces that proposition. All he needs is his big break with someone in the know. The song writing here is almost all relationship songs, tunes of broken hearts and longing for someone nice. What stands out on GOODbye MOON is the high level of musical arrangements. This recording is truly a banquet of musical delight, a multi-colored rainbow of textures and light. There are strings and horns, clarinet and... was that a glockenspiel? Dan sings like a cross between Elvis Costello and John Mayer (not bad company to be in). It would be nice to see Dan get some of the recognition of Mayer (Best New Artist Grammy 2002). All of the tunes are really good here. The first five just killed me. Really a fine experience with the headphones on. I've got to hand it to Dan Haas and company. GOODbye MOON is another testament as to why Annapolis is such a great musician's town."
-Michael Buckley
Chesapeake Music Guide & WRNR 103.1 FM on-air personality"
Everybody Needs To Smile
12/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"No matter what trends or styles are dominating the music industry at any given time, there is always room for good old-fashioned pop music. With it's characteristically infectious melodies and sing-along choruses, a good pop song has the uncanny ability to make people smile. That's the reason I was smiling the whole time I was listening to Dan Haas' new album, GOODbye MOON.Haas, a regular performer in the Annapolis music scene and a member of the popular regional band - Bens Bones, has proven himself to be an excellent pop singer/songwriter with this impressive solo CD. Focusing on topics like love and relationships, the twelve songs on GOODbye MOON take Haas' great lyrics and wrap them in a blanket of superb instrumentation and musical arrangements. The result is one truly memorable album - the kind of effort that could launch a national career for Haas.Throughout GOODbye MOON, Haas dazzles with his wordplay and ability to describe, in great detail, a specific time, place or situation. This descriptive talent is evident on the lovely track, "Counting the Hours." Haas is talking about a key decision in a relationship when he sings, "Late at night when the wine can be measured in drops / Stars above and the moon just appears to be stopped / In the dark / And you're holding your glass to the sky / Waiting for light to arrive / To decide." This is just one example, but countless other great lyrical moments pop up all over GOODbye MOON.The lyrics are not the only reason Haas' album is notable, the music, instrumentation and production are top-notch also. Haas recruited talented musicians from all over the region and the nation to bring his vision to life. Whether you look at the vocal contributions of Josh Rouse and David Mead, both critically-acclaimed, national pop artists, or the outstanding production work of Joe Pisapia, GOODbye MOON is a classic effort from start to finish.Maryland is very fortunate to have an artist like Dan Haas in the region, and we shouldn't take him for granted. He is the kind of artist and GOODbye MOON is the kind of album that could make a splash across the nation. And that's a good thing, because everybody needs to smile!-Greg Yost
Music Monthly Magazine"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1