CD review

Life on the C-bus

Darynyck The Sasquatch Sessions, Vol. I & II

by Dave Schaefer
 The Darynyck’s The Sasquatch Sessions: Volumes I & II is a two-part house party. Vaguely reminiscent of The Beach Boys’ album Party (in theme if not in content), the CD creates an atmosphere of accessibility and acquaintance as though you’re listening to the band in someone’s living room surrounded by friends. The simple nature of many of the songs -- particularly in Vol. I -- contributes to that feel of upbeat fun with an edge of melancholy. Darynyck knows how to piece together a song with just enough complexity to add interest, but not too much that it gets in the way.

The band unofficially began when friends Daryn and Nyck, who had known each other since the second grade, joined up in high school to create music back in 2001. Four years later, they began Darynick in the Toledo area, eventually moving to Columbus in 2007. A year later, Kevyn -- which makes that darned y suddenly suspect -- joined the band. Daryn and Nyck both sing vocals and swap around instruments like jugglers at a circus, seemingly able to play anything that can be plugged into an amp or held in front of an open mic.

Volume I of The Sasquatch Sessions, Nyck says, “is a little more upbeat, fun, with positive lyrics.” While Voume II “is the more mellow, melancholy stuff.” And for the most part it follows that line, with a couple strays here and there.

The Sasquatch Sessions is somewhat of a mish-mash of genres and sounds -- from ‘50s pop to ‘60s folk to songs that are very 2007 -- but manages to maintain a remarkable evenness. The CD pulls you in instantly with the inordinately fun “People Get Together” and holds your interest through simple tunes, excellent lyrics, and an intimate recording style.

Darynyck delivers a solid offering in The Sasquatch Sessions that deserves to be noticed.

The band will be delivering the CD at a release party on Friday, April 4 at Oldfield’s on High. Be there to be the first on your block to pick up The Sasquatch Sessions Volumes I & II and see Darynyck perform live. You won’t be disappointed.

Here’s the song-by-song rundown.

Volume I:

People Get Together
A simple song that is completely addictive. Pulling in 1960s Archies-like music with lyrics to match, this track is a definite pleaser and a great opening to Volume I. The tambourine and shaker are priceless.

Laura 81483
This track takes its cues from the early ‘70s songs as they transitioned from the folksy tunes of the late ‘60s into something that was a bit more complex (but still sounding vaguely like the Partridge Family). Great, fun lyrics and an equally fun melody. The first time I listened to this CD, by the time this song ended, I already knew that even if the rest of the CD was a complete disgrace, there was room in my favorites for Darynyck.

Before the Summer Goes Away
Summer is an ongoing theme throughout The Sasquatch Sessions. This is the first of the warm-weather tracks and carries with it some fairly sad lyrics. Smacking of the folksy feel of Dylan with shades of The Samples, this is a definite upbeat, melancholic pleaser. And the vocals work beautifully.

Everything’s Fine
If Darynyck wrote songs for British children’s TV shows, this is what they’d sound like. You can easily imagine the band with an animated background of colorful meadows with oversized flowers and flittering butterflies. An understated, fun, sing-along song.

Take Me Away (On a Holiday)
If Darynyck wrote songs for British children’s TV shows, and because of that made it big on the UK pop charts, this is the song that they’d do it with. It still has bits of that child-like sound, but with more adult lyrics that are still just as fun.

Babygirl
The audience participation song! Grab a beer and sing along. Trust me, you’ll want to.

December (I Miss You)
Immediately, this puts you back to that sock hop that you remember seeing in -- depending on your generation -- American Graffiti, Happy Days, or, well...Hairspray. Generally speaking, this song has little going for it besides the cool factor of so perfectly imitating a ‘50s slow bebop song while including the word fuck in the lyrics. By that factor alone, it’s a winner.

This Perfect Summer
A song that sounds remarkably like it should be on a Ben Lee album, this track also rings vaguely of ‘80s flash-in-the-pan The Dream Academy. The lyrics are happy, the melodies carrying you along. This is a truly beautiful song that makes you want to hold the hand of your significant other as you stroll through a summer evening.

Goodnight My Sweet Love
The closer to Volume I, this song is a mere one minute of a happy/sad goodbye. The perfect transition into the slower, more thoughtful Volume II.

Volume II:

No Time
The vocals on this track move you through this song, the two-tiered lyrics woven together in a flow that is at once both anthem and ballad.

Wasted Summer
A woefully depressing song wrapped in such upbeat lyrics that you either don’t notice or don’t care as you tap your foot to the beat. Here, Nyck and Daryn’s voices mesh well, adding to the fun of this sad song of summer’s end.

22
The simplicity of the guitar of this track creates an almost child-like flow and one that’s incredibly appealing. The background percussion muddles the song and I would’ve preferred it to be either toned down or gone. With only a guitar, it would create a perfect campfire song.

I’m So Sad
When I first listened to Volume II, this is the song that stood out. The lyrics are what caught my attention initially, with the 1950s country-inspired musical content keeping hold of it. A melancholic winner and a definite personal favorite.

Endroom Lullaby
A 55-second interlude that doesn’t offer a whole lot in the way of something new in this mix, this song is pleasant enough, but could easily be overlooked -- and likely will be by most as they wait for the final two songs to begin.

Time Alone
This was a bit of a yawner, but given that it comes after the strong offering of “I’m So Sad,” it’s understandable that this track struggles to get noticed. The lyrics are clever, but they’re wrapped in a song that doesn’t match their quality -- something that isn’t the norm for this CD.

Falling
By far the longest song on The Sasquatch Sessions at a full five minutes, this track’s lyrical melodies are placed perfectly amongst the music, with horns being used to a great affect. A strong closer to Volume II and the CD as a whole.