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Dramarama – Color TV

Florian Buechting Media Review No Comments

Dramarama - Color TV

Dramarama - Color TV
4.4

Rating

 4.4/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • 12 very different songs
  • Nice Bob Dylan cover
  • Comeback after 15 years

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Some songs have been performed quite frequently on stage.

If you are running out of albums to be reviewed as so many releases are postponed due to Covid-19, this is always a good opportunity to do some minor acts or genres which are not too much in the review focus. With the latest Dramarama album, Color TV, I am heading into the alternative rock genre. The band released this album on 1st May 2020 – very interesting stuff, as it is their first release 15 years after their previous album.

 

Dramarama – About The Artists

The roots of the band are already in the early 1980’s when Dramarama formed in the basement of a record store in Wayne, New Jersey, North of New York City. The original members were Chris Carter, who also owned that record store, John Easdale, Mark Englert. Soon, Peter Wood and Ron Machauga joined the band. Easdale, Engert and Wood are still in the band’s lineup. They released their debut album, Cinema Verite, in 1985 and constantly published until 1995. The band broke up in 1994 already, though.

However, the band regrouped in 2003, also motivated by the VH1 TV series Bands Reunited. 2005 also featured the band’s last studio album release, Everybody dies. However, the band regularly participated in festivals and had other gigs. Color TV is their ninth album.

 

Dramarama – Color TV – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 50 minutes

1. Beneath the Zenith

The album start with Beneath the Zenith, which is already one of the best songs of the CD to me. Very melodic, reminds of quite some alternative anthems. Unfortunately, the song is already quite old – I found live recordings of 2011, where the band performed this track already.

2. Up to Here

Up to Here is a bit of a rougher song. Nice recording, though I in general enjoy the more melodic tunes on this album slightly more. The guitar solos on this album are cool, though.

3. The Cassette

The Cassette is rather slow, very melodic, the guitars are much  more in the background than in other songs. This leads to a really nice atmosphere. Good song.

4. Swamp Song

The Swamp Song has a slightly swinging melody. I prefer other songs on Color TV, but alternative rock fans will enjoy this track as well.

5. It’s Only Money

The song is going back to a more rhythmic character. The recording feels a bit damped, but the melody is catching and the repetitive parts make it an interesting listen.

6. Abandoned Love

If Abandoned Love feels to remind you of Bob Dylan, this is a cover – which, by the way, the band already played in 2008 tour appearings. Nice version, definitely – and a nice variety of sounds at this position of the album..

7. What’s Your Sign?

This song is having a strong 1990’s alternative rock sound – so the Dramarama fans will definitely smile and think of the good old days.

8. Everyday

Though the song starts comparably slow, it is quite powerful . The ballad-alike elments here and there give it a nice character – otherwise, there would be too much of a risk that the song is getting too close to other recordings on the album.

9. Hold Me Tight

Hold Me Tight is another quite slow track, which is very vocal centric. Really enjoy to listen to it.

10. The Only Thing (Stupid / Brilliant)

This guitar and piano track feels very close to Creep by Radiohead to me. The Radiohead classic is a good one – and so is that Dramarama song.

11. You, You, You

The acoustic guitar ballad is adding another facet to the album. Nice.

12. Half Right

The album closes with a slower track, which is back to the standard alternative / rock sound. With its piano in the background, it is a great atomopshere.

 

Dramarama – Color TV – Spotify

Here is the Spotify widget for Color TV:

Dramarama – Color TV – My View

First of all, I am not sure, how much Dramarama fans will celebrate Color TV. On the other hand, the first album after 15 years is definitely worth a beer or two – on the other hand, there are quite some songs, which have been played by the band live on stage significantly earlier. I am not a Dramarama follower, so to me, these twelve songs were new (I did not even know the Bob Dylan original, shame on me…) – and I have to say, I absolutely enjoyed to listen to these 50 versatile minutes of music. Thumbs up, definitely – and a Top Pick! on top of that.

 

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