• Band / Artist : Daniel Ledwell – mySpace
• Genre : Folk / Pop
• Sample Track Download : N/A
• Buy CD : N/A
• Buy Digital Download : iTunes
• Rating : 9 out of 10

Sometimes I feel like beating my head against a wall, as I occassionaly find new music almost accidentally. In some cases this shouldn’t be so, as I’ve previously reviewed the band Daniel Ledwell is in, In-Flight Safety before on Indie Launchpad, actually back in April of 2006. Although recordingwise, things with the band are quiet, Daniel released this 7 track album in January and it’s an incredible collections of songs. I only found out about Daniel’s solo work, via the CBC Radio 3 New Music Canada podcast, otherwise I fear it may have evaded my radar totally. Although this is advertised as an album, I’m loathe to call it that, as at just a tad over 24 minutes, a little light for an album. The 7 tracks on here though are an just amazing, so I’ll let it slide.

Two Over Seven is “seven songs about the bad, bad things that happen to our hearts”, consequently this is not an album to get you dancing, unless it’s on the prostrate body of someone who’s broken your heart. To call these tracks melancholic, is a bit of an understatement, but there is just an amazing beauty in the sadness and despair. Opening with “Daisy, You Are a Liar”, I was instantly enamoured with both the sad and almost despondent vocals, and the wonderful minimalist accompaniment, which really allows the misery and hurt to bubble away. “Little River Run” is a very similar track, as is “New Flame” and to be frank, I could listen to this kind of sorrow for ages as it’s always a delight when it’s not your own.

“I Have Made You a Mixtape” is the track that brought Daniel to my attention, and it’s just a wonderful example of melancholic pop, signing off with a stunning kick in the teeth. Simply delightful. “Gone for Good” is probably the weakest track on the album, although I think some of that is down to playing in the aftermath of “I Have Made You a Mixtape”. “Writing You Out” bares similar musical traits to “I Have Made You a Mixtape”, both in the melody and delivery, but manages to tell a story all it’s own. Track 7 is the appropriately named “Goodnight Goodnight” and all too quickly it’s over.

I have to admit, this was one of those albums I threw into the CD player at home, and within seconds managed to burst the family happiness bubble. OK, maybe a slight exaggeration, but it’s certainly not the kind of album to get the party started. That being said, once I managed to find some quiet time to listen, I loved every minute of it.

Conclusion : A great album, with the jewel in the crown, appearing dead centre of the album. If you like the melancholic side of music, Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, Black, you’ll love this.

Postscript : When running this review through the spell checker, Daniel’s name obviously was flagged and I hit the change button a couple of times by mistake, before realising. When I looked back, Daniel Ledwell had been changed to “Denial Lethal”, could that be a sign.