DAVID OLNEY

Film Noir

2011-05-24

On "Film Noir," a concept EP, David Olney evokes a gritty, Big-City-After-Dark disquiet. Equal parts lonely bluesman and method actor - Johhny Cash and Leon Redbone and Tom Waits - Olney creates songs like little movies based on grimy, dog eared paperbacks. These brand new songs all sound as if they were found, covered in dust, in a back alley Used Record Store. "Frank is Gone" is a jangly blues shuffle like an anxious junky walking the streets. If Cab Calloway had lost it all and traded his white tux for a torn felt hat and barn coat, he would sing "Blue Moon Hotel." "$20 Serenade," nearly an homage to Tom Waits street characters, is an ancient sounding gimp walk tragedy with a B-movie twist. "Blues Don't Care" and "Sunset on Sunset Boulevard" are both hollow, lonely songs to steal your joy. Reviewed By: Todd Townsend.

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 06/2011

    THE BOXER REBELLION
    The Cold Still

  • reviewed 04/2007

    Cowboy Junkies
    At the End of Paths Taken

  • reviewed 04/2007

    IDGY VAUGHN
    Origin Story

  • reviewed 08/2006

    Greg Brown
    The Evening Call

  • reviewed 04/2013

    TIM EASTON
    BEFORE THE REVOLUTION THE BEST OF 1998-2011

  • reviewed 01/2010

    VARIOUS ARTISTS
    Keep the Light Alive: Celebrating the Music of Lowen and Navarro

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.