Stephen Hero Darkness & The Day CD

Darkness & the Day is Patrick Fitzgerald's first full-length album that doesn't include guitar input from his former Kitchens of Distinction bandmate Julian Swales. Without Swales, it's hard for Fitzgerald to climb the epic swirling peaks he'd easily bounded in the past, but there's still a great deal to like about the album, not the least of which is Fitzgerald's perfect, commanding vocals. Fitzgerald is at his best here when he's operating at a quick pace and injecting a bevy of emotions into the stew. "Hexmass Waltz" and "NYC" are the album's early standouts, as paranoid drunken imagery of mountains Fitzgerald has claimed for himself and a plane's wings touching the Empire State reveal mixed emotions of love, paranoia, and desperation. It should be noted that "NYC" was written in 1999, and it has nothing to do with the terrorist attacks of 2001, though the imagery of the song is startling nonetheless. "She Got Fever" and "Thanks, Not Afraid" are equally sublime and suggestive of a more subtle journey down the raging path of Fitzgerald's Fruit project. The breathy shoegazer background vocals from former Miracle Legion singer Mark Mulcahy on "Thanks, Not Afraid" are a particularly lovely touch. "The Sun Shall Walk Us Home" is another highlight and perhaps the best of Fitzgerald's stabs at piano bar noir. But when he languishes in darkness or sorrow on songs like "The Dark Dirt" and "Making Sense," and when he invokes guitar rage that's beyond his range, the presence of Swales is sorely missed. All in all, Darkness & the Day is a mature, intelligent album that every Kitchens of Distinction fan will instantly adore. ~ Tim DiGravina

Additional personnel includes: David McAlmont (vocals); Ashley Wood (guitar, background vocals); John Hanley (drums).