Published on August 31st, 2011 | by Denise Borders
0Brett Detar “Bird in the Tangle” review
Brett Detar
*review by Adam Morrow
adammorrow169@gmail.
Brett Detar has been around for more than just a cup of coffee in the music biz and has offered his very versatile musical stylings to quite the array of artistically based endeavors … singer/songwriter, musician, producer, and also recording engineering and graphic design. You might recognize his name from such acts as Pensive, Zao, and The Juliana Theory where he occupied the guitar, keys and lead or backing vox spots.
Brett has also been involved in a couple of side projects including one with Chris Evenson (Sense Field) for one song on a compilation LP and Origen (given name Will Stanton) where he contributed on two hip hop tracks. He has also written material for various artists including Rookie Of The Year. In January 2010, he announced his intention to release a solo album.
In November 2010, The Bird In The Tangle dropped. This LP is also available for FREE on his facebook. This album is, among other things, fun, funny, touching, sometimes old timey-parlorish and a fuckin’ toe-tappin’ good time!
The opening track ‘Empty House On A Famous Hill’ is perfect. A great start but has an even better finish with ‘This World Ain’t Got Nothing’. As you listen on, each track changes style and your favorite tune will change each time you hear the next one. This is not your run of the mill new pop country hogwash. AND, with the re-popularity of the retro alternative country movement, this is just too refreshing. Check out the backing vox on ‘This City Dies Tonight’ and ‘Coast’. Great songs that will compel you to keep this in your frequently played library.
The only thing I would have liked to have heard was more focus on banjo, violin and harmonica. It’s always great to hear some short solos . . . especially banjo. While looking back on his career, Brett has ventured into many facets of the music spectrum. The assemblies of Pensive, Zao, The Juliana Theory and this solo album are so dissimilar and all so entertaining, anyone with a love for music should be not only impressed, but inspired as well. I would imagine that being fruitful in so many aspects of the business, it would prove difficult preserving true soul while moving forward in one’s successes. Brett Detar has not only seemed to champion that ideal but made some excellent music along the way!
Tracklist:
1. Empty House on a Famous Hill 3:26
2. The Devil’s Gotta’ Earn 3:33
3. It’s Only The Night 6:55
4. Road to Ruin Woman 4:17
5. This City Dies Tonight 5:06
6. Coasts 3:40?7. A Miner’s Prayer 5:07
8. Cocaine Whiskey And Heroin 2:53?9. We’re Broken But We’ll Never Be Alone 4:38
10. Caged Bird 5:08
11. This World Ain’t Got Nothing 3:22
Upcoming Tour Info:
Sep 12 The Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ
Sep 13 Launchpad Albuquerque, NM
Sep 15 Club Dada Dallas, TX?Event Comments: X?Sep 16 Continental Club Houston Houston, TX
Sep 17 Sam’s Burger Joint San Antonio, TX
Sep 21 Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC
Sep 22 Ottobar Baltimore, MD?Event Comments: X?Sep 24 The Bell House Brooklyn, NY
Sep 26 FIREHOUSE 13 Providence, RI
Sep 27 Mohawk Place Buffalo, NY
Sep 28 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, OH
Sep 29 Southgate House Newport, KY
Oct 01 Shank Hall Milwaukee, WI
Oct 02 First Avenue 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN
X?Oct 04 Knuckleheads Saloon Kansas City, MO
Oct 05 The Waiting Room Lounge Omaha, NE
Oct 07 The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, CO
Oct 08 State Room Salt Lake City, UT
http://BrettDetar.com
http://Twitter.com/brettdetar
http://Youtube.com/brettdetarmusic
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http://Facebook.com/brettdetarmusic