Search - Danielle Dax :: Dark Adapted Eye

Why are ms.dax's cds oop?

moongrenadine | high point, NC | 02/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"first and foremost, it outta be against the law to not sell danielle dax in every record store and on every website that sells pop cds. i find it completely unfathomable as to why this woman's cds are out of print and even more disgusting that more people have not heard of her music by now. some of us may remember danielle as the frontwoman or force behind the group lemon kittens. others might vaguely remember seeing her a sthe wolf girl in neil jordan's classic the company of wolves. unfortunately, the rest of the earth hasn't had the experience nor the pleasure which saddens me greatly. i was fortunate enough to find this cd and blast the human flower both in a used cd bin recently and not a day goes by that i don't play one or the other. while listening to dark adapted eye or blast the human flower, i always get the feeling i'm listening to the soundtrack of a cult classic film perhaps by david lynch or somebody else that the mainstream would call oddballish or strange. for those who are just now hearing about ms. dax, this is not a bad place to start. dark adapted eye offers a fusion of pop rock, electronica, dark lyrics, and evil honky tonk alt country to boot. trust me, you've never heard anything quite like danielle dax and her dark adapted eye cd. what's more, you never will hear anything quite like it again. her voice is sleek, seductive, and at times might remind one of kate bush although ms. dax has her own signature voice. if you want to hear one of the most eccentric and overlooked women of our time, then you want danielle dax. hopefully one day someone will see fit to re-release all the works of ms.dax and the world will get a taste of her eclectic brilliance. some of my fav songs on this excellent cd are cathouse, when i was young, yummer yummer man, and brimstone in a barren land. happy listening !!!"

Dark Adapted Eye Review

Jaquie S. | Oregon | 01/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had Dark Adapted Eye since it came out and it is still one of my favorites. This is music that grows on you and it still sounds as new today as it did when I first heard it. Sadly, my CD has disappeared - that's why I'm here - looking for a replacement. I too am mortified that more people haven't heard of her and that her CDs are so darn hard to find."

Whatever has lead you here...

K. McQueen | 08/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently pulled out my Danielle Dax discs for the first time in years for loading into my iPod. The freshness of her recordings makes me realize how ashamed I should be for neglecting them. Really, neglect may be a bit strong. After all, she competes with about another 4,000 selections in my personal music collection. Ms. Dax usually enters my domicile late at night while entertaining friends, especially in the guise of Dark Adapted Eye.

Dark Adapted Eye was my first introduction to Ms. Dax when it was originally released on vinyl LP. I was hooked with the opening rocker, Cat-House; the sonic equivalent of a lap dance from a white latex and lace clad vixen from London's Soho. The CD contains nine more tracks than the original LP, culled mostly from the previous release, Inky Bloaters, plus two tracks from Jesus Egg That Wept, and one from Pop-Eyes (both early releases were collected together on the Japanese import Up Amongst Golden Spires).

As mentioned many times before, Ms. Dax's music sounds just as relevant today as it ever did. She channels the familiar popular music standards of many years prior, most notably rock, blues, and country, through her own unique lens (or rather the titular device) evoking something that is alien and yet recognizable simultaneously. For example, country rhythms reconstructed with electronics and tape loops on Yummer Yummer Man, Funtime, or Bad Miss 'M'. Also, listen to the wicked stomp of Hammerheads.

Her vocals are aptly compared to Kate Bush's, but she is also capable of the low-end growls and high shrieks of Diamanda Galas.

There is also a certain quality, a seeming simplicity, that compels this humble reviewer's own muse, even if only as a hobbyist. Perhaps Ms. Dax's creativity is infectious; one could only hope.

Sadly, Ms. Dax never received the recognition or success she deserved as a musician. The most likely reasons are that she was considered too pop for U.S. college radio, too experimental for popular radio, and didn't neatly fall into a niche for UK consumers. Indeed, she was ahead of her time. Consequently, she turned to other abilities such as interior design and a turn in acting.

So, regardless of whatever has lead you here, Dark Adapted Eye is your best bet for an entry into the sonic realm of a very creative and inspiring artist."