Album Review: We’re Not Known For Anything

Had you heard of Neither Do I before?

No? Well, if indie alternative rock is your jam, then say no more.

Neither Do I, is Danny Ebdale, with Flo on bass and Laszlo on drums. Not only is Danny responsible for Neither Do I, but he is also a part of Hospital Sports and other solo projects like April’s Fool. A puppet master of talent.

So let’s get into it.

We’re Not Known For Anything is his debut album, and it’s a mighty fine one at that.

A four year mammoth in the making, Danny has taken no shortcuts in delivering a masterful and deeply personal piece of work that is subtle, yet full of depth.

Nine tracks fill the space, and while they all follow similarities of more personal storytelling, each track very much holds its own arrangement and careful nuances.

We’re Not Known For Anything (the track which also is the same name as his debut) is a great example of Neither Do I’s sense of musicality. Beautiful, soft arrangements, solidly mixed, heartfelt lyrics. A fantastic sweeping and uplifting number.

What follows after is another great example of how easily Danny can switch things up with another great number, Recollection. Driving guitar riffs that stay consistent with no real sense of urgency, they’re just there, keeping the rhythm, pushing your ears forward. It’s nice there is some string arrangement thrown into the mix too. Did I mention the great production quality? Superb.

Now I have to mention Fresh New Hell. This debut really keeps you guessing. Dare I say it’s the most experimental track, but in a spectacular way. How to unpack it all? Well I can only personally sum it up by saying it wouldn’t be out of place in Silverchair’s Diorama era.

Going back to adding in string arrangements, or rather, the placement of them, I can’t close things off without talking about Lull. Wow. If you listen to that first few seconds and feel nothing, then try again. Lull is a slow burn, and vocally very different (not just in the obvious way)

It’s a bittersweet end to a really great first album.