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D' Edwin
No Prognosis
For this month's local music review, we turn to St. George's own D' Edwin who released his debut album, No Prognosis, a few months back.
My personal prognosis?
This is the kind of album to which fans of '80s New Wave and Synth-Pop should flock, especially if you like Morrissey. D' Edwin vocally sounds so much like the Pope of Mope that I had to make sure I hadn't accidentally slipped my copy of Viva Hate in by mistake.
D' Edwin is a virtual "doppelganger" for Smiths front man and tracks such as "Secret Assassin," "I Don't Recall" and the B-52's-esque "I Abhor" will please Smiths/Morrissey fanatics that crave the melodramatic sound that was made popular two decades ago.
"Your Life" is a song that shows a different side to D' Edwin as someone who also appreciates New Order. D' Edwin's guitar playing on "Your Life" is a dead ringer for Bernard Sumner's style and "Your Life" could have easily fit next to anything that came off of New Order's '83 classic Power, Corruption & Lies.
"Lazy Train" is the one instrumental here and it reminded me of something that Chris Lowe from Pet Shop Boys might have come up with in that classic span they had between '86s Please and '88s Introspective.
"While I don't find D' Edwin to be the "lyrical wizard" he self-proclaims, I do find it quite impressive that all of the artwork, guitars, drums and production for No Prognosis were handled by him personally.
- The Independent
Album Independent Review
For
My Friends Left Me for Dead
By Kyle England
Independent July 2008 vol 13, issue 5
St. George's own Pope of mope is back and this time he's returned with his first full length effort and not surprisingly it has the utmost cheery title of My Friends Left Me For Dead. My Friends mines the same territory that D'Edwin debut EP No Prognosis (which we reviewed here a few months back) did which is uncanny Morrissey-like vocals with sharp guitar bits influenced by the Cure and synth work that is indebted to everything that New Order and Pet Shop Boys ever brought to the table.
The opening self-titled track is morose to say the least with D'Edwin pining about the betrayal of his so-called friends over out of tune guitar work that just makes you feel dirty all over. One of my favorites here though has nothing to do with depression or love lost or being forlorn. It's called "Last of the Midnight Westerns" and it's so different from everything else that D'Edwin has done that it feels like a giant gulp of fresh air. But if you like Morrissey and the Cure all day every day then D'Edwin has what is going to ail you. "Because I Have To" is strait out of every playbook the Mozzer has ever used and every guitar line throughout My Friends Left Me For Dead has Robert Smith and company to thank profusely. As always, you can find everything you want to know about D'Edwin and his music at www.dedwinmusic.com and there you can purchase some great 80's influenced tunes that will make you want to drop a tear in your beer or the beverage of your choice.
- The Independent
Bravo, friend! Great album! What is most impressive, is that you created the music all by yourself. Your music is truly poetry, like Morrissey's. I love all of the songs, but a few of my favorites: "But You Lied" (flashed me back to high-school), "My Friends Left Me for Dead" (excellent melody), "My Other Life" (sounds like New Order — awesome!) Overall, a masterpiece of an album! Great job!!! I'm so happy for you!!! I'm ready to buy it now!!! ;-)
-William www.williamdesign.com
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Lady Aslan: Author of Victorian Days & Punk Rock Nights! www.myspace.com/ladyaslansbook
I have recently been blessed by finding a new artist and his name is D'Edwin, not only is he a true talent he is also my friend!
I received the CD a few weeks ago and have been listening to the dark ambient tunes mixed with dreamy melody and lyrics from the heart.
If Ian Curtis from Joy Division and Morrissey had a love child his name would be D'Edwin!
Really this CD is for those of us that have an appreciation for retro sounding Goth music, though there is really no "title" I could give D'Edwin, but I just wanted to give an example of what is in store for you if and when you purchase this CD...
"My friends left me for dead"
"I don't know just what I did"
is the first haunting melody one hears on this comp and it just grabs you by the "hoo-hoo" and demands your full attention.
My personal fave is Is There Anyone Out There?
"6 billion people and I have no one to talk to..."
I can so identify with this and the POV he wrote it.
"I hear others, but I never see them anywhere..."
Again I have been there and felt that emptiness in certain points in my life ( like now )
This CD came at a perfect time in my life and really puts me at ease when I am listening to it.
Thank you D'Edwin for you piece of art...I really appreciate it and hope others do to!
Check him out at CDbaby. com and pick up a copy today!
- Ladyaslan
- Customers
Discography
EP Album 'No Prognosis'
(Released 6/2007)
Track 01: Secret Assassin
Track 02: Your Life
Track 03: I Don't Recall
Track 04: Lazy Train
Track 05: I Abhor
LP Album 'My Friends Left Me for Dead'
(Released 6/2008)
Track 01: My Friends Left Me for Dead
Track 02: The Rain
Track 03: Musician Magician
Track 04: Last of the Midnight Westerns
Track 05: But You Lied
Track 06: Life All Over Again
Track 07: Because I Have to
Track 08: I Have a Life
Track 09: Satisfy This Time
Track 10: Is There Anyone Out There
Track 11: How Bout You
Track 12: Support the Army
Track 13: My Struggle
SONG DESCRIPTIONS
My Friends Left Me for Dead
1. My Friends Left Me for Dead (about betrayal by friends)
2. The Rain (about losing everything)
3. Musician Magician (experience at a concert)
4. Last of the Midnight Westerns (just a crazy idea)
5. But You Lied (About losing 1st love)
6. Life All Over Again (if you could go back, & you remembered everything, what would you change?)
7. Because I Have To (Well, I have to don’t I?)
8. I Have a Life (no I don’t)
9. Satisfy This Time (life is never satisfying)
10. Is There Anyone Out There? (No)
11. How Bout You? (I am almost entirely perfect, aside the fact I fail at all that I do)
12. Support the Army (No one else does)
13. My Struggle (elusive)
Photos
Bio
D’Edwin’s fans have described his music:
Sounds like,
1. "The Smiths & The Cure came together and had a child"
2. “A new wave or electro pop sound crossed with rockabilly”
3. Compared to the “Cure, the Smitherines, the Smiths"
4. "The next best thing since Morrissey"
5. "I think your music and voice reminds me of New Order and A Flock of Seagulls and a small dash of Morrissey in some of the vocals"
6. “I must say, I was rather shocked when I heard how similar your voice is to our Morrissey's! …even your lyrical style reminds me of him.”
7. “I hear some of The Doors in your music”
8. “Totally Unique”
History:
D'Edwin started writing and producing music in January of 2007, just six months after a nearly fatal life changing incident. This experience was instrumental in convincing him to abandon all else for his creative birthright. Within one year of re-grasping the arts, D'Edwin's life completely turned around for the better, spawning 2 albums (first an EP in June of 2007 and then an LP in June of 2008). His life experiences combined his interests in retro-indie pop, formed his unique lyrical persona and developed a flexible balance between deep introspective lyrics and energetic retro-alternative rock instrumentals.
If you are interested in getting to know more about D'Edwin send a request to be invited to his fan site at www.myspace.com/noprognosis or www.dedwinmusic.com
Links
