Dave Derby Even Further Behind CD

Singer/songwriter Dave Derby spent a stint in Lloyd Cole's post-Commotions backing band, and there's a hint of Cole's wry way with a twisted love song in Derby's solo debut. (The overdriven, distorto-rock "You're My Plus One" is a sentiment instantly familiar to anyone who's spent some time on the guest list.) A varied and self-assured album, Even Further Behind covers a fair amount of stylistic ground, from the American Music Club-like lament "Boston" (which, naturally, features a pedal steel appearance from AMC's Bruce Kaphan), to the ironically chipper-sounding "California Nervous Breakdown," with its sunny harmony vocals and ringing guitar riffs. Throughout, however, Derby's intelligent, rueful lyrics and knack for low-key, adult pop tunes (think Neil Finn and, again, Lloyd Cole) keeps him from sounded too all-over-the-map. Even Further Behind is an impressive, promising debut. ~ Stewart Mason

Dave Derby's musical career began auspiciously as the leader of 90's alt-rock heroes The Dambuilders, a band who was once decreed by Spin Magazine to be "the best unsigned band in America." A major label deal (East/West Atlantic) and several albums later, The Dambuilders disbanded, and soon after, Dave Derby recorded his first solo outing under the moniker Brilliantine. Since that time, he's been busy stockpiling even more of his trademark brilliant, but catchy tunes while touring and collaborating with artists such as Lloyd Cole and Jill Sobule. Even Further Behind is the Badman debut release from Dave Derby, and as the first album released under his name, it encompasses Dave's various musical personas into one glorious pop explosion. Produced by Michael Kotch,, Thom Monahan (Pernice Brothers, Beachwood Sparks), and Derby himself, Even Further Behind features performances by Lloyd Cole, Vitamin C, Phoebe Summersquash (Small Factory, Godrays), and many others. As an album, there's a cohesive thread of pop sentimentality and dynamic instrumentation underlying each song. However, from song to song, the tone and tune vacillate between somber melancholia to 80's new-wave urgency, and back again to straight-ahead pop dementia. Dreamy rock or down pop, whatever you call it, it's music for your every moodswing.

Personnel: Dave Derby (vocals, guitar, lap steel guitar, keyboards, percussion); Kendall Meade (vocals, background vocals); Michael Kotch (guitar, keyboards); Joan Wasser (violin, background vocals); Semay Wu (cello); Adam Peters (keyboards); Kate Jones (marimba, background vocals); Lee Mazzola (drums, percussion, background vocals); Pheobe Summersquash (drums, background vocals); Christian Nakata, Kevin March (drums); Rainy Orteca, David Poe, Leila Mack, Vitamin C (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Jeremy Butters; Scott Hollingsworth; Thom Monahan.

Recording information: Besy Quality; Crushing Babalou Barn, New York, NY; Fireproof; Missile Shells.

Photographers: Rainy Orteca; Jill Nussbaum; Kate Jones.

Personnel: Dave Derby (vocals, guitar, lap steel, keyboards, bass, percussion); Kendall Meade (vocals); Michael Kotch (guitar); Bruce Kaphan (pedal steel guitar); Joan Wasser (violin); Semay Wu (cello); Adam Peters (keyboards); Rainy Orteca (bass, background vocals); Mark Lizotte (bass); Lef Mazolla (drums, background vocals); Chris Nakata, Kevin March (drums); Vitamin C, Katty Jones, David Poe, Leila Mack, Phoebe Summersquash (background vocals); Lloyd Cole.

Producers: Dave Derby, Michael Kotch, Thom Monahan.