rockavlon
28-05-2004, 06:41
http://www.melodicrock.com/dare-beneaththeshiningwater.jpg
DARE – “Beneath The Shining Water”
(MTM/Legend)
Running Time : 43:09
Oh, dear how do you start a review, when the pen feels suddenly so heavy. DARE frontman, Darren Wharton was one of the collaborators of the late and great Phil Lynnot, in the last few THIN LIZZY albums. After tragedy struck, it took Darren a while to kick back into action, but he did amazingly so, in 88 I think (?) with the debut album of DARE on A&M records. The band played some fine pompous AOR in the vein of MAGNUM, with perhaps a touch of BON JOVI. Another 3 albums followed, taking us to 2001’s (I can’t find enough words to praise it enough, masterpiece would be an understatement) “Belief”. This album is the most harmonious fusion of Celtic moods and melodic rock to date. I was blown away when I heard that album. “Beneath The Shining Water” continues the fine tradition of it’s predecessor. Overall, it’s slightly darker, but equally as brilliant. I ‘m lost for words. The words in the songs are poetry and Darren’s voice, oh my god! If I ever wanted to cast a man to play an angel in a theatrical play, I would choose him in a heartbeat. A voice that is both masculine and soulful, yet delicate, able to perform amazingly clear and soothing melodies. And songs like “Sea Of Roses” ? Well it’s the best song I heard in the last 15 years period. “Days Gone By” is another melodic gem, this has top 10 written all over it. “Silent Hills” is another “little” epic, with a peach of a chorus. “Beneath The Shining Water” perhaps just a little darker, but I might as well start weeping. The perfection of the music is, scandalous. Thank god that “The Battles That You've Won” is slightly below par, because I could not take another song being so perfect. Slightly below par, doesn’t mean that it’s bad though. Other bands would kill to write the rejects of DARE, much less such a great song. “• Allowed To Fall” is a broody ballad, so simple and yet so beautiful. A bit more of an up beat affair is the following track, “I'll Be With You”. “Where Darkness Ends” echoed a bit of MARILLION to me, but it could just be that I reviewed their new album just before this one. Do I need to say perfect ? Do I ? “Storm Wind” is another rockier song, pretty uplifting to say the least, magnificent material at its finest. The closing track “Last Train” is a bit more melancholic, but it’s lyric is so full of optimism. My mind, tries to actually recover, from the sudden rush of bliss. Gosh, I’m afraid I might sound melodramatic and I might be taking this over the top, but hey if I weren’t going to hell, (where every rocker will eventually end up – as they might as well tell you in school – at least that’s what they were telling us, about those long haired Satan worshipers) but instead to paradise, this could as well be the soundtrack. The production is very clear, and Darren’s voice and songwriting are untouchable. ”Beneath The Shining Water“ is a journey on the wings of an eagle through the green countryside of Ireland. Like a sea of Roses… all around you. Darren and lads, thanks for making mortality, beautiful.
6/6
Samples:
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare01.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare02.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare03.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare04.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare05.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare06.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare07.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare08.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare09.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare10.mp3
DARE – “Beneath The Shining Water”
(MTM/Legend)
Running Time : 43:09
Oh, dear how do you start a review, when the pen feels suddenly so heavy. DARE frontman, Darren Wharton was one of the collaborators of the late and great Phil Lynnot, in the last few THIN LIZZY albums. After tragedy struck, it took Darren a while to kick back into action, but he did amazingly so, in 88 I think (?) with the debut album of DARE on A&M records. The band played some fine pompous AOR in the vein of MAGNUM, with perhaps a touch of BON JOVI. Another 3 albums followed, taking us to 2001’s (I can’t find enough words to praise it enough, masterpiece would be an understatement) “Belief”. This album is the most harmonious fusion of Celtic moods and melodic rock to date. I was blown away when I heard that album. “Beneath The Shining Water” continues the fine tradition of it’s predecessor. Overall, it’s slightly darker, but equally as brilliant. I ‘m lost for words. The words in the songs are poetry and Darren’s voice, oh my god! If I ever wanted to cast a man to play an angel in a theatrical play, I would choose him in a heartbeat. A voice that is both masculine and soulful, yet delicate, able to perform amazingly clear and soothing melodies. And songs like “Sea Of Roses” ? Well it’s the best song I heard in the last 15 years period. “Days Gone By” is another melodic gem, this has top 10 written all over it. “Silent Hills” is another “little” epic, with a peach of a chorus. “Beneath The Shining Water” perhaps just a little darker, but I might as well start weeping. The perfection of the music is, scandalous. Thank god that “The Battles That You've Won” is slightly below par, because I could not take another song being so perfect. Slightly below par, doesn’t mean that it’s bad though. Other bands would kill to write the rejects of DARE, much less such a great song. “• Allowed To Fall” is a broody ballad, so simple and yet so beautiful. A bit more of an up beat affair is the following track, “I'll Be With You”. “Where Darkness Ends” echoed a bit of MARILLION to me, but it could just be that I reviewed their new album just before this one. Do I need to say perfect ? Do I ? “Storm Wind” is another rockier song, pretty uplifting to say the least, magnificent material at its finest. The closing track “Last Train” is a bit more melancholic, but it’s lyric is so full of optimism. My mind, tries to actually recover, from the sudden rush of bliss. Gosh, I’m afraid I might sound melodramatic and I might be taking this over the top, but hey if I weren’t going to hell, (where every rocker will eventually end up – as they might as well tell you in school – at least that’s what they were telling us, about those long haired Satan worshipers) but instead to paradise, this could as well be the soundtrack. The production is very clear, and Darren’s voice and songwriting are untouchable. ”Beneath The Shining Water“ is a journey on the wings of an eagle through the green countryside of Ireland. Like a sea of Roses… all around you. Darren and lads, thanks for making mortality, beautiful.
6/6
Samples:
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare01.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare02.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare03.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare04.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare05.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare06.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare07.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare08.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare09.mp3
http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Dare10.mp3