New Album Review: Dawes- Misadventures of Doomscroller

Dawes- Misadventures of Doomscroller

Label: Rounder

Producer: Jonathan Wilson

Folk-rock journeymen Dawes launch their eighth studio album with an epic nine-minute vignette (“Someone Else’s Cafe/Doomscroller Tries to Relax”) that boasts one of Taylor Goldsmith’s finest vocal performances since the inception of the band a dozen years ago, as well as what I’m convinced will prove to be one of the very best instrumental performances of the 2020s, thanks to Goldsmith’s sizzling guitar grooves, brother Griffin’s virtuosic drum wizardry, and Lee Pardini’s emotive piano finale. In addition to being one of this era’s most delightfully unconventional singles, it’s an instant masterpiece (I mean, my God, that freaking transition between sides is so gorgeously moving), and sets the tone for what will be the band’s deepest dive into prog-rock to date. Dawes had already proven they could capably dabble in that arena back on 2015’s excellent, All Your Favorite Bands, but there’s no denying the impressive growth they’ve experienced since. As the record progresses through more standout moments, including “Comes In Waves”, the pandemic rumination “Everything Is Permanent”, and “Joke In There Somewhere”, I have flashbacks to my childhood and my dad playing similarly progressive, artful records by bands like The Beatles, The Moody Blues and The Who. That the spirit of these sorts of cinematic rock themes and experimental stylistic structures sound simultaneously classic and fresh today is an equal testament to the timelessness of those influences, as well as the intelligent and tasteful quality of Dawes’ music. And while it’s easy to become so fixated on the thoroughly excellent singing and full-blow jam-band showcases that consume this entire album, you can’t lose sight of this band’s ever-soulful pen. When Goldsmith muses on the opener that we should “enjoy each other’s company on the brink of our despair“, there’s no question about the times this album was birthed in, or about how raw the entire experience still feels. Dawes has already released a laundry list of fantastic rock records, but Misadventures of Doomscroller feels like their new watershed moment to me, and one for the modern rock universe as well.

Track Listing:

1. “Someone Else’s Cafe/Doomscroller Tries to Relax” (Taylor Goldsmith)
2. “Comes In Waves” (Goldsmith)
3. “Everything Is Permanent” (Goldsmith)
4. “Ghost in the Machine” (Goldsmith)
5. “Joke in There Somewhere” (Goldsmith)
6. “Joke in There Somewhere- Outro” (Goldsmith, Jimmy Jolliff)
7. “Sound That No One Made/Doomscroller Sunrise” (Goldsmith)