Estranged

by David J

Overview

Love and Rockets loyalists are sure to recognize David J's familiar voice at the outset of Estranged, but they might be perplexed by the one-time Bauhaus bassist's cover choice. "Guitar Man," Bread's 1972 pop nugget, gets redone here with roaring riff work by guest player Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction. And if the man born Haskins pumps new life into this oldie, one can't help but wonder why he opted to start the album with a touch of novelty when some of his own material is far better. The pale bard still has it on "Static Cling" and "In the Great Blue Whenever," two somber but exceptional ballads buried midalbum that wisely utilize pedal steel accents. Country elements also infiltrate "Mess Up," a soft pop ode to personal demons, as well as "Crashed," where a twang guitar meets mid-tempo drum programming and lyrics about marital foul play. At times, most obviously on "Ruined Cities," David J's delivery -- coupled with minimalist techno beats -- sounds very similar to the dramatic stylings of The The's Matt Johnson, but even when he does impersonations, he does them quite well. While the barstool novelty of "Bright in Your Absence" delves further into the heart of Nashville than any goth star has the right to, Estranged is a fine effort, even if it is occasionally misguided. ~ John D. Luerssen

Product Details

Release Date:	06/14/2024
Label:	Cleopatra
UPC:	0889466495724
Rank:	27280

Album Credits

Performance Credits

David J   Primary Artist,Bass,Organ,Guitar,Vocals,Tambourine,Synthesizer,Guitar (Acoustic)
Stephen Perkins   Guest Artist,Drums,Percussion
Mark Kozelek   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background),Guitar
Dave Navarro   Guest Artist,Guitar
Brett Banducci   Viola
Art Martinez   Vocals (Background)
James D. Hall   Trumpet
Amilcar   Slide Guitar,Guitar
Kristen Autry   Violin
Bruce Kaphan   Pedal Steel
Timothy Loo   Cello
Tom Vos   Violin
Billy Goodrum   Piano

Technical Credits

Don C. Tyler   Mastering
Myriam Santos-Kayda   Photography
Robert Rankin Walker   A&R
Anthony J. Rodriguez   Programming,Engineer
Dave Pepin   Engineer,Programming
Todd Parr   Cover Design
Barry Paul   Engineer,Mixing
Tom Vos   String Arrangements
David Gates   Composer
David J   Concept,Composer,Producer,Programming