From the very first pick of an acoustic guitar string and the arrival of an accompanying string and brass section on album opener ‘Our Apartment’, it’s clear that ‘We Don’t Have Each Other’ is going to be something special. The first forty-five seconds alone conjure up vivid images of life in small town America and create a sense of longing. By the end of the song, the scene has been firmly set for some finely crafted storytelling.
Given Dan Campbell’s background, comparisons are going to be made around the occasional similarities between this, and the more recent back catalogue of The Wonder Years. ‘Thunderbird Inn’ could have happily appeared on either ‘Suburbia, I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing’ or ‘The Greatest Generation’, but far from being a re-tread of familiar ground it is feels like an expansion of those elements. As Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties, Dan Campbell has given himself the freedom to take the ideas that started to emerge and round them out and also to explore others. Experimentation can be heard across the whole record, particularly in those songs with a stripped-back Americana feel, such as ‘Carolina Coast’ and ‘Divorce And The American South’ which is full of heart-breaking honesty.
Lyrically, the album deals with themes such as loss, the influence of religion, family, and alienation. All of which have been covered countless times before by any number of artists, but are done so here in ways that is certain to resonate with everyone that listens. It is also packed with sing-along moments, such as the rousing chorus and its honest plea of “I might need you” from ‘St Joe Keeps Us Safe’.
Just as the lyrical themes change throughout the record, so does the pace and song structures, but it never feels disjointed. The consistently varied instrumentation throughout the album and the eclecticism that comes with it brilliantly soundtracks the stories, conjuring up imagery and giving life to the characters, as well as making a few stylistic nods to other bands. ‘Runnin’ Scared’ for example, owes a lot to the slacker rock of The Replacements and The Lemonheads, and is all the better for it, with a driving drumbeat and melody propelling it forward. Perhaps most fittingly of all, Dan Campbell gives the biggest musical nod of the head to The Mountain Goats, closing the album with an excellent cover of ‘Going To Georgia’. However, in spite of this ‘We Don’t Have Each Other’ is anything but a check-list of musical references, and everyone is sure to pick out different influences.
Initially conceived as a way of Dan improving his guitar playing and eventually evolving into a way of telling the story of the character Aaron West, it has without doubt moved far beyond its original purpose. This is as far removed from a clichéd frontman-goes-solo record as is humanly possible. This is a brave and incredibly well realised creative project that is sure to feature at the top of many album of the year lists in five months’ time.
CHRIS HILSON