aaamusic | On 12, Jun 2013

Canadian artist Dallas Green, once the successful singer and guitarist in post-hardcore act Alexisonfire, is now the band leader of City And Colour (a moniker derived from Dallas the city and Green the colour). His debut album Sometimes achieved platinum status.

On June 4th, 2013 Dallas Green released his fourth studio album, The Hurry and the Harm on Dine Alone Records. It’s an innovative and alternative folk album recorded in Nashville.

In the title track – ‘The Hurry and the Harm’ – acoustic and steel guitars support  Dallas’ soft and gentle vocals. Upbeat ‘Harder Than Stone’ has strummed and picked guitars with an underlying bass reminiscent of a James Taylor song. ‘Paradise’ concerns trying to find one’s way in a quickly changing world with few certainties, whilst the soulful blues rock song ‘Thirst’ has a gritty Black Keys style. The serene and delicate ‘Take Care’ is reminiscent of Nick Drake.

Surprisingly, The Hurry And The Harm  is mostly a soothing and relaxing album in which Dallas harmlessly returns to his acoustic guitar roots in an unhurried way. Graceful melodies accompany introspective themes without being over produced and his vocals have a very personal and individual style, modest but confident.

★★★★★

Anthony Weightman