Dark Tea [2021]

by Dark Tea

Overview

Following the example of his 2019 debut's untidy blend of country-rock, folk, and 1970s songwriter pop, Dark Tea's Gary Canino returns with a similarly easygoing tone and homespun spirit alongside more-personal lyrics on the also-titled Dark Tea. Whereas the debut involved the participation of Woods' Jarvis Taveniere and Hand Habit's Meg Duffy, both of whom suggest an accurate sonic territory, the follow-up features songs produced by Matt Barrick of the Walkmen, an early inspiration of Canino's. Also contributing production in various recording locales were Paco Cathcart (Eyes of Love), Ryan Howe (Punks on Mars), and Jason Quever (Papercuts) as well as primary producer Sasha Stroud. It opens with the reassuringly ambling, country-steeped "Tears Down the Road," whose jaunty piano, drawling country bass, and touches of pedal steel underscore reflective lyrics that eventually give way to a wistful, acoustic instrumental outro. While much of the album dwells in a like-minded alternative country-rock, occasional divergences include the dreamy, keyboard-centric "U.S. Blues" and "Losing III," a more-anxious synth pop entry with idiosyncratic surrogate drum tones. Dark Tea closes on the trippier "Finally on Time," a ballad vaguely descended from "Strawberry Fields Forever/Penny Lane" with layered vocal harmonies, spacy delay, and -- counterbalancing the opener -- dreams of getting back on the road. Along the way, album highlights include the uptempo, twilight-hued "Highway Mile," whose bittersweet electric guitar solo is further tempered by soft fluegelhorn and cross-stick drum rhythms, and the epic "Down for the Law," which clocks in at over seven minutes. Throughout, Canino's conversational, melody-suggesting vocals offer the intimacy of fireside hangout even on the more jam-minded tunes. ~ Marcy Donelson

Product Details

Release Date:	05/21/2021
Label:	Fire Talk
UPC:	0634457043206

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dark Tea   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Matt Barrick   Mixing,Producer
Nate Amos   Producer,Mixing
Dark Tea   Executive Producer,Composer
Ryan Howe   Producer
Gary Canino   Composer
Noah Kohll   Composer,Executive Producer
Sasha Stroud   Mixing,Producer
Frankie Carino   Cover Photo
Paco Cathcart   Producer
Emma Hendry   Cover Design
Dan Reeves   Design
Timothy Stollenwerk   Mastering
Jason Quever   Producer,Mixing