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Dw Dunphy
Proud Sons of the Suburbs
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Here's the deal. The argument is made that creativity is in danger of being stifled because of the restrictive nature modern life forces upon its unwilling, or in most cases, unknowing, constituents. Now that's a compellingly frightening thought. How many great talents have slipped into the overwhelming aspects of life only to have their 'masterpieces', overshadowed and underappreciated, slip into a hole of infinity, never to resurface...ever.
Dw Dunphy's latest album is a conceptualized view of everyman and their unrealized dreams. It chronicles the disappointments and finalities with a current of pride until bitter realizations weaken the resolve. It visits an underlying fragility of despondency. It reflects the absolute of an arising and cold technological existence. It contrasts hard work and efforts with a dream that stays at arms length, always seen and felt but never grasped. Dunphy's view is a bleak one.
The album begins with a tone of time and concept; radio noise and scratched vinyl, tech and lifestyle. It is set with the "Star-Spangled Banner" providing a timeless feel of old school ideals and garnished with the coldness of technology; all this in the opening track, "Welcome to the Programme." What occurs from this point forward is a brilliant mesh of musical styles that moves from acoustic to electric, from rockers to ballads and from narration to singing. It is filled with, and reminiscent of, Pink Floydian despair.
Progressive music has always been about the human condition and the underlying brutalities inherent in existence. Dunphy's self-produced Proud Sons of the Suburbs is an excellent storyteller and communicator that infuses his creation with great music that explores modern prog-blues at fast and slow speeds.
The points are made, the view is hopeful but bleak. Worlds of mediocrity and a universe of ignorance weighs down on a society negligent of artistic expression and communication. Ask anyone to explain the underlying thought of a well-done movie, the intent of a book, or the statements of music and you'll be shocked by the blank stares. Metaphor is a word soon to be expunged from the human language despite the fact that we dream them every day. Dw Dunphy recognizes this and offers his warning in Proud Sons of the Suburbs. But we also live in an era where if one took the time to create and then went a step further and inserted said creation into the aether of availibility, then a spark is loosed. Sparks find like sparks and ignite.
Proud Sons of the Suburbs is mature both musically and lyrically making it a album of importance and one that won't disappoint. Prog fans will be pleased.
Release Date: September 20, 2004
Tracks: 14 - Time: 45:19
Produced by: Dw Dunphy
Format: CD
Website: www.cafepress.com
Track Listing:
Welcome to the Programme / The Wave / Things That I've Learned / The Testimony of Mr Bernstein / Haiku / The Amazing Disapperance Act / A Propaganda Film / Anatomy of a Mugging / Proud Sons of the Suburbs - I. Races II. It's All Come Down III. Inevitabilities IV. Things Learned (reprise) V. Doo-Wop for Strings VI. Just the Beginning.
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