A few months after its release, I take a track-by-track look at Dave Carter’s debut solo album Ten Tall Tales.
When a Novocastrian musician releases an album, it’s easy to dismiss it as just another one in the pile. We’ve got so many great artists here that we tend to take it for granted when one of our own does something awesome. Dave Carter’s first solo offering should be the exception to that rule. The body of work that appears on this release is full of quirky imagery, hooks and master musicianship.
Before I go on, I should disclose that I was part of a team that helped promote Dave’s album launch. When the album landed on my desk a couple of weeks before our first meeting, I must admit I didn’t expect much. Dave and I had never spoken a lot before my involvement in his launch, but after the first listen to Ten Tall Tales, that didn’t matter. It didn’t matter because I’d just had a conversation with the man through his music. And to be honest, that’s the best way to describe Carter’s first solo offering – a conversation between the music and the listener.
Dave plays a lot of the instruments on the album himself, but the addition of Matt Gaudry’s keyboards is truly the cherry on top of this musical sundae for me. There’s a certain quirk to Ten Tall Tales, and it’s delicious. To honour this quirk, I’ve decided to review each track using GIF animations.
Track 1 – Back Coffee
Call and response, layered harmonies, infectious piano lines and lyrics that will have you smiling and thinking, ‘I’ve been there’.
Track 2 – The Letter
A reggae-inspired guitar in the verse is met with a ‘dance around the lounge room with your partner on a Sunday afternoon’ kind of groove in the chorus.
Track 3 – Blue Love
A cheeky lyric married with layered sounds and a hook that will have you wondering why there aren’t more great songs like this for you to stick on your iPod.
Track 4 – In The Sun
This is exactly how the song sounds. The track makes you want to close your eyes, breathe in deep and just enjoy the moment.
Track 5 – Corner Of My Eye
A track that takes you on a bit of a journey. Sit back and enjoy the tale.
Track 6 – Just Enough
This one gets you right in the feels. Ok, I may have shed a tear over this one. Just beautiful.
Track 7 – Breathless
A track that will have you shaking your bum without even knowing it. Just a great feel, and Dave’s vocal really hits the mark in the bridge. An awesome track and one of the highlights of the album for me.
Track 8 – Fool in Love
This GIF explains it all. This is the best track on the album in my opinion. Dave’s voice shines, and combined with Gaudry’s piano, they produce an emotional ballad that will forever be a part of my life’s soundtrack.
Track 9 – Her Love Is Everything
This track reminds me of the stuff Jack’s Mannequin was doing a few years ago. Hooky, groovy and fun. Oh, and it will make you want to hold someone’s hand.
Track 10 – Old Hoe Clark
Show us your banjo! And if you hold in there, you’ll be gifted with an ‘easter egg’ that ties the album up just perfectly.
So there you have it, Dave Carter’s Ten Tall Tales. It’s full of well-crafted songs, reflective lyrics and playing that you just don’t hear on many contemporary albums. Download your copy from iTunes.
