The new album
“The lyrics convey a strength of character. TERRIFIC vocal performance! Melodically stunning – melodies move with a fluidity that is alluring.”
Taxi Music (USA) - review
“There is a global market for this music”
Phil Legg – Producer for Terence Trent D'arby and Beverley
Knight
“This music has huge commercial potential. Retro Sounding - classic
song structure … huge theatrical choruses”
Matt Ward – Head of music publishing,
Kickin Music.
“ The tracks featured here demonstrate Daryl Irvine's proficiency
as both an artist and an engineer ”
Sound on Sound Magazine
---- Press Release : Sep 2007 ----
How to record a ROCK ALBUM with ONE ACOUSTIC GUITAR, NO DRUMMER and the WORLD WIDE WEB!
The new album "Beautiful" from crazy6 was created over 2 years, 2 countries and 4 cities. The theme of the album is timeless; the search for, rejoicing in and loss of - love. But translating this simple idea into a contemporary rock/pop album was only possible because of the current flexibility afforded by technology. Bass and Drum sessions occurred in Brisbane Australia in December of 2004 and January 2006. Guitars were added from Bristol and vocals were recorded in London.
"Every guitar part on the album is either an acoustic Taylor guitar or effected 6 string bass - the dirtiest, grungiest lines all came from clean DI'd sources initially" says lead singer Daryl Irvine.
Production of the album took place at his home based studio and was dealt with in its entirety by the band members. Additional contributions were made by a New Zealand based drummer using mp3 reference files and drum sample software.
Daryl says " The drum technology we used did not exist 7 years ago - or was far from authentic in the performances it produced. A good programmer can extract nuances from the software that even my drummer cannot distinguish from his own.”
But all of this technology would be of little use without strong songs to benefit from it. The 10 track album starts coincidentally with a track titled "Start". The song based around a funky groove over which a unique vocal performance is delivered. 'I will be waiting' is a more singer/songwriter based affair. Jangling guitars with an underlying quartet support the lyrics and lead into a chorus with a hook so catchy you'll be singing it for days. 'Angels would guide you' fuses funky drums and an angelic Hammond organ sound and intimate vocals to great effect. 'Follow' is one of the standout tracks of the album featuring an evocative 'slow build' arrangement that carries you toward the end wrapped in all the warmth of the lyrics earnest declaration of undying love. 'Lost' is built around a driving drum part and some outrageous 6 String bass effected parts reminiscent of 80's synth lines. The song has a huge thematic rock chorus which is possibly why the track has been successfully forwarded to MTV in the US for TV usage.
'Anastasia' is a dark, sorrow filled track that takes the album down for it's middle stages. It features a massive bottom end and delicate piano work along with some amazing drum playing. 'Long way back' continues the journey into the darker side of love lost and features a haunting chorus "It's a long way back...to a place where I didn't need you". Some laid back organ and quirky Bill Frissell inspired bass parts lend to a slightly "Floyd" feel in parts. ‘Miss the world' does it's best to emote making love in musical form, and the song does build from a low, exposed and intimate vocal part toward a climactic bridge with a due sense of anticipation. The song also signals the lift of the album toward the final stages of the album. This shift in dynamic is continued by the penultimate track 'Not Enough' which is one of the angrier songs on 'Beautiful'. The song also features a screaming electric guitar solo performed entirely on bass!
The album closes with 'Believe' and which brings the entire album full circle, providing a little closure and, more importantly some hope for the future. A future underpinned with an awareness and appreciation of the 'moments' we share with those we truely love. The song is a perfect way to round out the album and as it drifts off into the distance the listener is left with the feeling that they have experienced something that could indeed be described as, beautiful.
---- Album Review 2005 [ Author: Robin Harris - Eyeball kid UK ] ----
Daryl Irvine's new crazy6 album contains the sort of stirring contemporary rock that discerning listeners will take to their hearts. The tracks on the crazy6 album unfold themselves in calm procession, each one building on the last and creating what is certainly a fine debut.
Central to the allure of the first song Falling Down is the use of a filtered drum loops and samples, complementing the live instruments seamlessly. This, alongside the vivid, exposed vocal, evokes Middle Eastern imagery and is a gentle introduction to the rest of an expressively diverse album. On 40,000 Years it is the intense vocal that draws the ear and keeps it locked on this American styled rock anthem of loss and resentment. The Hammond organ of In Those Eyes is enough to send shivers down the spine and Leave brings with it a feeling of menace and complicity helped along by great vocal harmonies. Taking a lighter step, the brightness of I Know is betrayed by the loneliness of the lyrics, but sets the mood of the rest of the album. From this point on the tracks, such as Stagger and Beautiful Distraction lose the darker element and instead rely on a palpable romanticism to keep the listener absorbed.
A keen ear for production gives crazy 6 a real edge and it is clear that the transformation from singer - songwriter to studio artist and live performer is an easy one. Two Fates is testament to this, layering guitars over a prominent piano and a rock solid bass to good effect. Reason to Want is an up tempo track, with a brisk snare and infectious bass groove keeping time throughout this slightly disarming track and Could I begins in a similarly eerie vein which runs throughout the song thanks to what can only be described as an ‘oblique' guitar part.
A fitting song to play out on, The Moment , is optimistically clear and with it crazy 6 is making an attempt to resolve the various sentiments that precede it and mark the end of a well considered collection of songs.