David Karsten Daniels's Fear of Flying (Fat Cat) will make you a devoted follower before you even finish your first listen. Daniels is Seattle-by-way-of North Carolina's answer to the age old question of love and death. This album deals with the simple fact that we all grow old. Daniels's voice is a tender vessel that carries the joy and sorrow accompanied with life. It's refreshing to discover an album that removes music from traditional recording spaces and ultimately succeeds in creating an environmentally poignant space in which to escape.
Daniels's second album on Fat Cat Records is overflowing with therapeutic and immediately gratifying moments. Daniels's voice and poise lands multiple gut shots early on with a trio of highlights starting with “That Knot Unties?" Gentle plucks on a nylon strung guitar fall away revealing a shimmering haze punctuated by the hum of an electric guitar and Daniels's catchy “oh oh" sing-along. Daniels has pulled in bits of Akron/Family and Ray Lamontagne and then woven in bluegrass tinges and Southern rock fantasies.
The hook-laden duet “Martha Ann" is a hit on the level of recent successful pairings like M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel in She & Him or Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. In this clanking, organ-churning tour de force, Daniels and Sara Morris connect as Daniels asks, “But in your dark where is that spark/ The little light that you can put your faith in?" Subtle violin and forthright guitar further make this track perfect for radio everywhere.
“Falling Down" introduces new territory, where Daniels lets loose a dark and groovy presence. His vocals plop like raindrops over light snare taps as high-pitched piano and a ripping guitar undercurrent ease you into a trek through roots rock.
These just a few reasons why Fear of Flying works so well. Whether you have locked yourself in your apartment and can't handle the world or want to celebrate life under the stars with friends, Mr. Daniels triumphs at a profound and awe-inspiring level on Fear of Flying.
