7inch Sunday is a segment devoted entirely to 7” vinyl and the all-encompassing experience surrounding it. Although most publications cover major releases, the vinyl single is often overlooked and given nothing more than a half-hearted nod of acknowledgement. This weekly feature is a hub for 7” reviews, exploring the B-sides and rarities of artists that may often go unnoticed.
Each Sunday I will review 7” vinyl from artists who venture this extra mile to hold their singles high above the sea of digital releases. I hope to embody the spirit of vinyl while sharing some fantastic music with you, the reader. Let’s get started.
Shedding the hushed and acoustic one-man band appeal of Searching for Bart Davenport, Someone2Dance is a dive into unexplored territory. Thick synth and ample reverb replace a previously effects-absent voice and equally organic guitar. This release showcases Davenport compositionally set in the confines of the 80s at its finest, and not one bone in my body wants him to stray.
Blending straightforward pop rock rhythms with repeated melodies has never worked as well as it does on “Someone2Dance.” From a less-is-more perspective, the A-side of this record doesn’t waste time with embellishments and other music ornaments. Instead, Davenport fully optimizes the four bars of melody, squeezing all he can from them in the track’s brief three minutes to create an exceptional track.
My only complaint with the single’s B-side, “Cheap Words,” is that it didn’t come out earlier. If Davenport had conjured up this release a couple years prior, there is no doubt in my mind that Eric Craig would have hand-picked it for the soundtrack of Nicolas Refn’s 2011 Drive. Following in the footsteps of the film’s overall mood and neo-80s grandeur, “Cheap Words” would have fit very comfortably in between College’s “Real Hero” and Cliff Martinez’s original compositions.
Although a deviation from his prior sound, Bart Davenport still manages to lace his music with the infectious minimalism he has always toted. Whether a boppin’ (yes, still a relevant adjective) rock track or a death-by-reverb dance beat, Someone2Dance is the prelude to a new page in Davenport’s repertoire.
Check back next week for a look at Hot Lunch’s Killer Smile.
We're looking for writers and editors to join the team. Interested? Apply today!
Let’s Be Friends!