(9-track double LP/ 2003/ �SUILVEN RECORDINGS�)
Lancashire lad Daniel Patrick Quinn must write his songs while under hypnotic regression and recalling one of his many fruitful past lives. This quality double CD release is the queerest and certainly the most original sound I�ve heard in ages� in former lives even.
To admit to the masses that young Daniel is in fact only 22 years old (at the time of going to press under duress), it�s unbelievable that a man revelling in such youth is producing material this thematically off-kilter, technically mature and bizarrely inspired.
What�s more, the 9 tracks are perfectly shared between the 2 CDs, as CD 1 features 4 vocal-led tracks, while the second CD is exclusively instrumental - bar some vocals on the darkly demented and mystifying radiance of �Red Roads.�
If I tell you nice people that Daniel is a fan of Brian Eno you maybe yet more intrigued. If I told you he is a huge Eno fan you might even try to imagine what kind of music this guy is producing, but you�d still be nowhere near.
In essence this music is progressive folk, as the opening �Winter Hills� tracks slow-burns to remind of the Oysterband� only this here music is much more imaginative and truly epic. �Pathways� benefits from the pitch-bent voice FX, though it�s CD1�s closing track - �Pilgrim�s Way� - with its scaling synth eccentricity and its rural, earthly themes that stands out the most prominently. �Memories will take me there� reckons the learned, well-spoken Daniel.
While the general sound of DPQ�s undeniably unique muse can�t fail to remind of classic Celtic music (that�s wholly reliant on his distinctive voice, cello, organic-sounding synths and refreshingly minimalist bass grooves and barely-apparent percussion), CD2 initially hints that he might even be swayed towards more upbeat moments as �For Her Atoms� is the most memorably tuneful material on offer with its quirky, slightly Ultravox-esque direction. The remaining four tracks soon tread more familiar and overdrawn territory however, Towards The Sun�s so so subtle bass pulses having a masterfully emotive effect.
You almost expect a whimsically weird rendition of �Here Comes The Bride� from him � but it never comes.
For all its experimentalism and Daniel�s fleeting temptations to self-indulge a little too much in his musical ways, this �Suilven Recordings� release just maybe the sound of the future of popular music.
Full marks at the very, very least have to be obligatorily awarded to Dan for going out on such a crazy, hugely unpredictable limb. See, he realises that creativity defines individuality � and he�s way, way ahead of his time�
Way. 8/10 (STEVE RUDD)
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