Album Review: Dungeonesse - Self-Titled
You could say that Jenn Wasner seems like she is doing
anything to get out of making another Wye Oak record. The Baltimore based
guitar/drum duo released something—an LP or EP—every year, from 2008 to 2011.
Since then, Wasner went solo on that ass with her vanity project Flock of
Dimes. And now, she’s got Dungeonesse.
Wasner is joined by fellow Baltimore musician Jon Ehrens—the
project was first announced in late 2012 when the dropped the astoundingly
danceable single, “Drive You Crazy.” Duneonesse pull their influences from a
love of Top 40 radio and R&B, specifically 80’s and early 90’s R&B from
the sounds of their self-titled LP.
Dungeonesse, even in
the very few instances when it doesn’t work, is a blast to listen to. The
opening track, “Shucks,” wastes no time getting into an incredible groove,
based around bouncing synth lines and Wasner’s easily identifiable vocals. This
is followed up with the aforementioned “Drive You Crazy,” then the easily
twerkable jam “Show You.” Production wise, there’s a huge attention to detail
in these songs. Wasner’s voice is often effected and/or multi-tracked, creating
a very rich vocal sound. The beats are dope as hell, all showing a slight tip
of the hat to their influences, but at the same time, totally original.
“Private Party,” a song that served as a b-side to the
“Drive You Crazy” single is a straight up 80’s party jam, and the slower tempo,
trap-influenced “Nightlight” closes out the first side, making it a flawless
five track run.
Things don’t necessarily take a bad turn or fall apart on
the second half of the album, but the pacing of the songs changes. It start
with the somewhat noisy “This Could Be Home,” then goes into a true R&B
slow jam, “Wake Me Up.” Dungeonesse
closes up with the rather bombastic club banger “Anywhere You Are,” and the
slower, somewhat somber, and completely gorgeous “Soon.”
The only real clunker comes with the song “Cadillac.”
Constructed around Wasner’s sampled voice singing “Cadillac, “ and “Drunk off
of this love,” the track is primarily designed for a guest verse from Baltimore
rapper DDm. It’s not a bad song, but
it definitely feels out if place when filed in with the other nine track songs
on the album. Although as soon as I wrote that, I had the refrain stuck in my
head for, like, an hour.
Recalling the vibe of early 90’s, “MTV Jams” R&B, along
with hints of Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, Dungeonesse is never tries too hard. It actually seems to all fall
together effortlessly, although that is certainly not the case. If you listen
closely, it’s a very well thought out, and probably labored over concept. The music is never completely derivative of
the era it is paying homage to, but it’s also not “too future” sounding. And
the key element to the success of this is Wasner’s distinct singing voice. It’s
interesting to hear her get to play with her range more—she rarely strays from
a low-ish, somber-ish tone when singing with Wye Oak or as Flock of Dimes.
The weather is finally nice, and Dunegonesse is destined to be the soundtrack to this summer—one of
these songs is destined to be my “Summertime Jam for 2013.” Even if your life
is shit, for the 35 minutes it takes to listen to this album, you will forget
about your problems.
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