It's rare to come across such specific and purposeful prose in modern pop. But, alongside Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and the Decemberists' Colin Meloy, John Darnielle is helping bring fine lyric writing back to life - NY Daily News.
The Hate Yourself Change works best as an innocuous bedtime record; including them, it's a snapshot of a band taking a tentative step toward the next echelon of recognition and accomplishment. RIYL: Bright Eyes, Saddle Creek
"To me, Imaginary Man is an audible record of my journey down the bright blue river of imagination. It is a multicolored dream of song, a sonic birdbath if you may."
Well written songs with acoustic guitar played over sweeping and emotional Pop Ballad instrumentation. There are even some short Jazz themed preludes to songs which add depth.