Didley Squat - Smile Box (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Original High Energy

Mark James | Sacramento, CA | 12/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Where did these guys come from? Are they related to David Bowie and/or David Byrne? Each time I listen I hear new angles and different aspects of the music. Somehow, through all the energy, I just smile listening to their output."

We're all Didley Squat

Troy Wood | Sacramento, CA | 12/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Man... How do you even *describe* a band this good?

I'll make the obligatory comparisons to Byrne, Bowie, Beck, The Cars, and DEVO, just because I have to... but doing so is really a disservice. Didley Squat is not just another mash-up of stolen riffs and recycled talent. Their sound is 100% their own-- and I don't know anyone who's seen/heard them who hasn't immediately dug it.

Remember way back in '94 when you bought that first Beck album, and then tried to describe it to your friends?

Yeah, it's kind of like that.

You're just going to have to take it on faith here, kids.

Didley Squat is amazing, this album is amazing, and you won't know what you're missing unless you give it a try."

Unnacceptable

Bob Cabob | Utah | 08/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is exactly what this CD is NOT. Unlike any genre out there, didley squat has created a style that is their own. Wacky fun lyrics mixed with upbeat music. GREAT Drums, GREAT guitar, GREAT keyboard and GREAT singer all equal Sacramento's own Didley Squat"

Hey look! I wrote a review!

ZuZu | Sacramental, Cafilornya USA | 12/10/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps you're from Sacramento, and you've heard of this new band Didley Squat. Perhaps you've seen their faces on the cover of Alive & Kicking magazine. Perhaps you've seen their eye-catching fliers hanging in a coffee shops. Perhaps you've seen an ad for their new album, "The Smile Box", painted upon a window at Dimple Records, and you're banging your head against the wall, begging god to tell you how this tiny band has already gotten such a huge reputation. Or perhaps you've seen them live, and you understand why...

I've seen Didley Squat a few times now...first time ever at the Red Square here in Sacramento. Those fellas can put on quite a show, let me tell you. Their unique sound caught my attention right away...classical piano, thunderous drums, and a guitar layered with more effects than I could keep track of. And then there was singer, David Mohr, whose frantic David Byrne-esque stage presence made me feel like I, too, was losing my mind in the midst of all the new wave bruhaha. Folks, if you get a chance to see Didley Squat, say on January 1st, 2005 at said Red Square in Sacramento (Alhambra & K street), be sure not to miss 'em.

That said, I have to be honest and say their long awaited studio debut falls a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, it's still enjoyable, and should certainly be picked up if you're ever at one of their gigs: the real standout tracks are "Fun/Games", "Hong Kong", and "Killer Whales". But then there are other songs, like "How You Dance", which is nothing more than a blatant Violent Femmes rip-off (or maybe an homage?), and the unacceptable "Unacceptable", which leads me to belive that the band had just purchased some sort of sampler, and they decided in the studio to sample their drummer's playing and make a throw-away techno track. It just doesn't work. It makes me cringe in the same way that the unwelcome "Genius of Love" song in the Talking Head's live concert DVD "Stop Making Sense" does.

So, to quote the band, "You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't", and if I was you, I'd pick up a copy of this CD before slipping into the bowels of hell eternal. At least you'll have something to listen to..."

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	Didley Squat Smile Box Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock Track Listings (10) - Disc #1 Fun and Games Gracious Cut Throat How You Dance Hong Kong Unnaceptable Tuesday Garden Too Nervous Rose Killer Whales
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