List of songs from "Wide Outside"

On "Wide Outside," Daniel Cartier conveys a greater range of emotional temperament in songwriting than in any of his previous musical recordings.  He has successfully stepped beyond his boundaries and explored a wider range of styles. Among the songs on "Wide Outside" are:

1981---Cartier pines for the New Wave era of his youth.

Wide Outside---This distinctive title track is a mellow pop ditty about wanting to get away from the hectic pace of modern urban life with someone you love. It reminds one of something that might have been produced in the late-70s by pop duo Hall & Oates. This leisurely piece of bubblegum pop evokes a certain carefree quality and deserves to be heard while cruising in a convertible on a Sunday afternoon. You'll be humming this song all day long.

La Cienega---A song about attraction, lust, and the uncertainty that comes with unrequited love. Los Angeles residents will recognize the street name that inspires the name of this song.

Lost in Detroit---This powerful number starts off with the slow pace and rawness of a delta blues' song and by its' end explodes into a smoldering punk rock finale. A poignant and compelling effort that effectively uses raw screaming vocals to evoke alienation and loneliness. It perfectly captures the frustration, anger, and inner turmoil of being lost, trapped, or paralysed.

Storm---With a powerful mix of techno-inspired pop and soul music, this song laments the sometimes tempestuous nature of love that rolls in like a storm.

Locked Away *---A tasty blend of electro-gothic blues, this stark song is Cartier's response to the precarious whims of those who run the music industry.  His robust vocals tell a story of betrayal, abandonment, and resurrection. This song has a dramatic pace that builds up to a low--yet constrained--crescendo. The verses "roll" over into the chorus.  It would be fascinating to hear covers of this song by Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner (in the Ike and Tina era), or have heard one by the late frontman for The Doors, Jim Morrison.

Verge of Something---This big pop ballad experiments with styles reminiscent of Radiohead; David Bowie; the haunting, operatic falsetto of the late Roy Orbison; and the soaring vocals of k.d. lang. Cartier, stretching the boundaries of the rock ballad, poignantly brings to mind the excitement and hesitation of new-found love. On the studio version, Cartier's muffled vocals sound like they are echoing through the vast reaches of space and time. However, all fans are encouraged to make an effort to hear this song performed at a live show; it's worth it just to see Cartier deliver the lyrics with his dramatic florish and intensity. This tune sticks with you.

Beautiful *---An upbeat and heartfelt soft-rock song about seeing the beauty in everyone--replete with late 70s/early 80s Moog synthesizers and a beach party back-beat.

Good Time---A slowly-moving tune filled with rhythmic percussion that talks about the need to connect and have a good time.

Sadie Flood---Cartier's ode to actress Jennifer Jason Leigh's character in the movie, "Georgia."

Take Me Back *---This catchy duet, with Sarah Symons (formerly of The Syrens),  has a Euro-pop feel and sense of urgency. It explores the need to return to a fondly-remembered past.

Tonight is Rushing Right to My Brain---Cartier uses a combination of the organ and pulsating percussion in the background in this song about how falling in love can be overwhelming and all-consuming.

(It's Gonna) Take a Little Time---With its' measured and consistent tempo, this one tells us how everything good in life takes time.

Any Day---This songs starts off like a pseudo-hymnal. Then, with accordion-like music and pulsating percussion evoking the ambiance of the streets of Paris at night, Cartier talks about obsessive love and waiting for someone to make you happy.

Jamewokan---A funky, jazz-like mutation that is like a musical version of an acid trip.  Cartier conjured this song up with his Los Angeles-based band members Josh Curtis, Rich Sherwood, and Tim MacDonald.

All songs written and produced by Daniel Cartier