Along with lyrical snapshots of mountain peaks and ocean shores, Dawes provides a healthy dose of California folk rock comfort. The Los Angeles based band release their second album, ‘Nothing is Wrong’. On their latest recording, Dawes captures the Laurel Canyon sound made famous by Crosby, Stills and Nash among others.

Dawes is Taylor Goldsmith, Griffin Goldsmith, Tay Strathairn and Wylie Gelber.

Instantly soothing, the opening track ‘Time Spent in Los Angeles’ is both warm and welcoming. As we hear guitars chime and straight up vocals, the song, which has been getting some deserved radio play, starts the album out on exactly the right note. Steeped in compelling folk rock melody, the lyrics also ring out clearly: “You got that special kind of sadness/You got that tragic set of charms that only comes from time spent in Los Angeles/Makes me want to wrap you in my arms.”

Dawes pleasantly summons their influences from Crosby, Stills and Nash to The Band. Dawes recently even backed up Band guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson on a number of appearances in support of his new album.

Dawes have definitely made progress here on their second album. This is no sophomore slump- ‘Nothing is Wrong’ rings true.

On ‘My Way Back Home’, singer and primary songwriter Taylor Goldsmith philosophises about the quest for truth on the road and finding love back home. Evocative lyrics accompany a melody that is down to earth and easy. The imagery is poignant: “A ballerina in Phoenix/The pines up north/The sunrise from a highway that was not there before.”

Propelled by steady drumming and inspired harmonica, 'Coming Back to a Man’ is about heartbreak, maturity, healing wounds and resolve. While these songs speak to Los Angeles, the tunes more importantly evoke the feeling of finding the heart of a home. Their themes are thus universal.

‘Million Dollar Bill’, a song about love and loss, has a smooth soulful melody.

‘A Little Bit of Everything’ is the eloquent closer and a moving story song filled with rich characters looking for more in life. Once again, ‘Nothing is Wrong’ finds Dawes very much hitting the right note.


Track Listing