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Album reviews Music

Daniel Romano

Rating: NNNN


Daniel Romano, frontman for the Welland indie rock band Attack in Black and the Daniel in Daniel, Fred & Julie, has the kind of hard-times life story country & western legends are made of: Given up at birth. Taken in by an older couple who teach him guitar. Freak accident resulting in partial loss of vision. Reconnection with birth parents, also musicians. Death of older couple. Recording of a batch of sad folk tunes in his old house, which get destroyed when the house is razed.

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This debut solo effort is Romano’s triumphant survivor, and marks him as one, too. Weariness, frustration and authenticity resonate through the 11 well-crafted tunes. Mostly, it’s acoustic guitar, lap steel, fiddle, shuffled rhythms and Romano’s eyes-shut croon, which is roughly mournful but gets Steve Earle reedy on So Free. Fluttery backups by Misha Bower and Romano’s aunt Darlene are lovely, as is the surprise sax solo on My Greatest Mistake.

Top track: A Losing Song

Daniel Romano plays Parts & Labor July 11.

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