

Life Is Full of Possibilities (CD)
Dntel, known to friends and family as Jimmy Tamborello (of Strictly Ballroom and currently one-third of the techno-pop group Figurine) adeptly combines computer and human voices. Experimenting with electronics since 1989, Dntel consistently displays the relationship between melodies and some of life's unexpected episodes. This album includes vocal contributions from Chris Gunst (Beachwood Sparks, ex-Strictly Ballroom), Mia Doi Todd (solo artist, City Zen records), Meredith Figurine (Figurine), Rachel Haden (solo artist, ex-That Dog), and Benjamin Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), plus guitar by Paul Larson (Athalia, ex-Strictly Ballroom) and Brian McMahan (The For Carnation, ex-Slint).
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| Levent
- New York, NY, USA |
| There are only a handful of electronic masterminds around today, and Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello is currently the reigning superstar. Before his jump into stardom with the infamous/loveable Postal Service, Tamborello released this album and it is by far one of the best electronic albums released in the last five years. It is undeniably an album that keeps your attention from front to back without falling into pretentious meanderings or throbbing techno. The first song opens with sparse fragmented vocals before dropping into an aloof melody with lots of cymbals and a constantly changing drum beat. The songs progress perfectly and though each is fantastic in its own right, listening to them in order changes the way you receive each track's nuances. By the time you get to the melodic "Fear of Corners" or the slow and empty "Fireworks"; burst of electronic pops, you feel different. This is due to Tamborello's incredible ability to create an atmosphere that is soothing, interesting, and never cheap. That is why "The Dream of Evan and Chan" is so beautiful coupled with Ben Gibbard's vocals, which then lent itself to the aforementioned Postal Service. However, the finality of "Last Songs"; closing the album is stunning and would be foolish to try to explain in a review. Even those not interested in most electronic music should listen to this incredible and fulfilling album, especially in the fall when it's raining outside. Seriously, it's well worth your time. | |
| frosty
- Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| Sometimes you are lonely walking down drizzled streets. Sometimes you are in love strolling warm, intimate paths. Sometimes you are in limbo wandering glazed circles. Dntel wraps voices in electric blankets to reflect shades of human emotion. Mia Doi Todd melts pools into heartstrings with velvet strains of one-way love. Benjamin Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) glances at early romance through sweaty stages, eyelashes, and ringing phones. Rachel Haden's (formerly That Dog) feather brush words dust the curves of Brian McMahan's (The For Carnation) excited electric chords. Dntel's experience with indie rockers Strictly Ballroom and electro poppers Figurine give his vocal collaborations natural ease. The sound also works without words. Static electro and deep breaths of fluctuating synthesis commune with gentle melodies and subtle fuzz. This is humbly crafted grandeur. Dntel stands in the corner with his eyes toward the ground seeing everything. (Dntel aka Jimmy is a dublab resident dj. Tune in and hear his show Dying Songs) | |