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Dan Bryk

Discount Store

(Urban Myth Recording Collective; US: 24 Jul 2007; UK: Unavailable)

Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Bryk isn’t so much folksy as he is popsy—if such a word exists. Sounding like someone who might have fallen off the Matthew Sweet chuck wagon, Bryk brings a highbrow-pop verve to many of these seven songs beginning with the chipper title track which is simple yet elegant at the same time. “Normal”, however, only heightens that vibe with an XTC-ish flavor from beginning to end as his keyboard works a bit of magic. Perhaps the biggest hit on this EP is the catchy and hook-riddled “Put That Boy Away”, sounding as if it’s something Bryk struck gold with after hours and hours playing with his Casio keyboard. However, Bryk never falters during a lighter but just as enjoyable “Summer Heroine” which has a certain roots hue. Following a longer version of the title track, Bryk tosses out the hidden bonus track, “Cherry Berry”.

Rating:

Originally from Cape Breton, MacNeil is currently writing for the Toronto Sun as well as other publications, including All Music Guide, Billboard.com, NME.com, Country Standard Time, Skope Magazine, Chart Magazine, Glide, Ft. Myers Magazine and Celtic Heritage. A graduate of the University of King's College, MacNeil currently resides in Toronto. He has interviewed hundreds of acts ranging from Metallica and AC/DC to Daniel Lanois and Smokey Robinson. MacNeil (modestly referred to as King J to friends), a diehard Philadelphia Flyers fan, has seen the Rolling Stones in a club setting, thereby knowing he will rest in peace at some point down the road. Oh, and he writes for PopMatters.com.


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Dan Bryk - She Doesn't Mean a Thing To Me Tonight
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