Why Make Clocks is the plugged – in folk-rock brainchild of singer/songwriter Dan Hutchinson. The 2009 release These Things Are Ours is the third full – length album from this Des Moines – based artist. The first release was in 1998 and, for better or for worse; the band’s sound is rooted in the rock music of the 90s. The influence of 1990s mainstays REM, Gin Blossoms, and Sonic Youth is easy to hear.
All ten tracks share a disaffected tone, but they range from despairing to up-tempo dissatisfaction. My favorite song “Circles” moves at a pretty good clip and is arranged with the most variety of all the tunes. The opener “Self Impressions” is a slow, melancholy song with a wavy rhythmic pulse. It reminds me of folk-rock icon Nick Drake a bit, especially his 1970 album Five Leaves Left. The band has a good, albeit conventional sound. Hutchinson and (on two tracks) Eric Kennedy contribute a lot of well – conceived guitar work. The album is dotted with crisp, melodic solos. Electric keyboards on some tracks add a layer of color and variety. Hutchinson wrote all ten tunes, including weighty, poetic lyrics. His words range from opaque poetry to ruminating self-analysis. The writing is all just fine but it’s pretty much standard. There aren’t any real surprises on the musical side, although lyric – mavens may appreciate the songs more than me. On “Distant Sea” Hutchinson takes a stab at a rock song with a Caribbean tinge. It reminds me of The Kinks and it adds a little variety. The song also lightens the mood for a bit.
These Things Are Ours is a pretty good album but it’s nothing special. When I listen to it I feel like I’ve heard it before. Another problem is the banal melodies. Even derivative music has to have an original melody (otherwise is called plagiarized music) and these melodies aren’t very memorable. Overall the album was decent but not really noteworthy. There’s nothing that bad about it so I still recommend checking it out, especially to those listeners who are heavy into lyrics.
Nathaniel Rolnick – MuzikReviews.com Staff
January 10, 2010
