Disclaimer: When writing this review I’ve tried (not sure if I’ve succeeded, however! ) to step back a little from my raging DLOve
and be as objective as possible. I’ve also not read anyone else’s comments nor have I listened to Damien’s introductions to the tracks on the CD. I only have the knowledge gleaned from his press and radio interviews, other reviews (which I tend to ignore, although the majority are glowing) and from speaking to him. Sorry if I rehash others.
I will happily join into conversations about the album now that my own thoughts have been expressed.
Feel free to throw bricks. I’ll duck!
bwah!
PS I' wrote most of this a while ago, but have been waiting for the release of Forgive Forget to post it, sorta as a celebration.
Overall :Listening to Remember June as an entire piece is compulsory at first, in order to understand the musical “journey” on which Damien leads us. (I’m now beginning to detest that word and its connections to a certain defunct TV show, which gave D his break, admittedly.) I love the idea that this is the story of a relationship. One surmises, with twelve tracks, that it covers a year (or twelve years? We’ll have to wait for his novel to find out!) and that “June” was the highlight, but the relationship has not ended completely, it is still potential, and the “couple’s” (insert whichever variety of relationship you wish, even with a dream) bond is “for all of time”, regardless of the circumstances. This timespan idea works incredibly well and gives the album a wonderful cohesion which is so refreshing and different from many albums out there, which are merely collections of unrelated songs. It allows for great emotional scope and many mood changes. It’s an old idea, a symphonic idea. I’ve owned many a themed or “concept “ album in my record collection and it’s wonderful to see a modern songwriter take up the challenge. I know “concept” isn’t a term enamoured of reviewers, but that’s just plain head-in-the-sand prejudiced nonsense. Many of the classic singer-songwriters over the years have used this device. Inspiration does not date.
Musically, the structure is excellent. From the short, poetic and powerful intro the title track, the song moods change frequently, encompassing such states of mind as wistful, romantic, poignant, joyous, sad, regretful and grateful. The pace changes just as often and can be surprising when it does, proving convincingly that Damien is no cookie-cutter songwriter!
The sound production throughout is brilliant. Big, full, bassy, rocky instrumentation gives way to acoustic simplicity, or alternatively, multi-tracked, layered, complex vocals combine with a little electronica and ambient noise. An overall completeness to the sound allows the tracks to merge into one another seamlessly, often with little “blank space” in between. The flow is natural and unforced, the next track fitting perfectly into the progression. Damien’s voice is captured superbly, the best it has been so far. He is allowed to take centre-stage, his beautiful, emotional and sometimes gutsy vocals being prominent, as they should be, with little interference from studio effects to detract from the purity, clarity and occasional sexy grittiness of his singing. This is what I’ve wanted to hear recorded since I first heard Damien. Finally, Stuart has delivered us his voice in all its gorgeously-toned glory, with warmth and power.
Hallelujah!Track By Track:Intro -
Remember JuneA solitary drum, (an Irish bodhran, I think), and a clearly ringing guitar introduce us to the album, with Damien in a wistful, but powerful mood. His vocals, the backing and the instrumentation build beautifully as the short, two-minute track progresses. Lyrically, the song is an introduction to the story, a reminiscence on the “joys, mess and confusion” of a relationship.
The Celtic overtones in the melody carry through, as perhaps a tip of the lid to Damien’s Irish roots. The track finishes with a grand, majestic organ sustain. Goosebump stuff!
Golden LineStaccato piano opens Golden Line. Drums join in, “Slowly does it every time”. It then bursts into a powerful, strings-driven verse, followed up by a gentler, piano-led one. When the bridge arrives –
“All this world, is golden lined,” sung in Damien’s stunning falsetto, we have been drawn totally into the energy and emotion of the song. It’s a song of hope and longing, to turn fortune around and to remember what matters most. The driving beat and the sweet, yet rocking melody, plus Stuart’s full instrumentation bring this track together brilliantly. I think it’s still my favourite on the album, though I have others, as will become apparent shortly!ha! Live, acoustically or electrically, it’s killer!
It’s a perfect example of the power of Damien’s songwriting. Criticism has been levelled at him by a certain critic for writing clichéd and obvious lyrics. Occasionally, D’s lyrics are quite guessable, and I’ve even called them a bit “moon- spoon -june” sometimes myself, but it is this sense of familiarity and “rightness” which makes them so singalongable (is that a word? Oh well, it is now!)
and uncontrived. You don’t get the feeling that Damien is
trying to be clever, you just feel that he is genuinely expressing his emotions and telling a story. It all feels completely authentic, which is one his main strengths, in my opinion, (another being his brilliant melodies,) apart from that voice, of course! Sincerity and believability in both his performances and his songwriting have always been Damien’s hallmarks. Many truly memorable songwriters have this gift. Damien’s songs remain with you.
Incidentally, it amuses me that one of the almost universally acknowledged greatest modern singer/songwriters, Neil Finn, has been accused by some of producing contrived, excessively poetic, forced lyrics. It just goes to show that you can’t please all the people all the time!
To Get To YouHey! Hey! Hey! Eh Oh!
LOVE the chanted beginning of this energetic, powerful and driving track. It grabs my attention immediately. I really get the feeling that D is
“trying to get to” me. Stuart’s instrumentation builds brilliantly as Damien’s voice soars powerfully
-“I’m chasing down a highway, I’m lyin on a runway!” Guitars ring, drums pound, keyboards sing, - then Damien finds another gear when he hits that monster note -
“NOOOOOOOOOOO!! “ WOW! Utterly spine-tingling!! I always want to sing this song with him at the top of my lungs! Brilliant!
Rock ON, D!
And then:
Wouldn’t Change A ThingI find Damien’s voice in this gentle song absolutely beautiful. His clear, pure tones are heartbreakingly lovely. The song begins simply with a gentle guitar as Damien describes an idyllic scene and acknowledges that “The truth of it is, I’d throw it all away. I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.” Yes, it’s hopelessly romantic, but my god, it’s gorgeous!
The melody is sweet and haunting, Damien’s singing, (the falsetto!) is divinely pure and the instrumentation is perfect. Guitars and drums build slowly as the story unfolds, finishing with an echoing Hammond organ and Damien’s megaphoned-like voice fading out.
This is one of my favourites on the album. Anyone who appreciates the beauty of sound that
is Damien must adore this track.
“The stars don’t look that far away to me.” Me neither, D.
Don’t Give UpA single plaintive piano introduces this song. It builds gently and beautifully as Damien pleads to not give up, even if the “sun gets in your eyes.” I love the sentiment of this song and the lovely, simple melody. It matches the mood of the lyrics perfectly.
Damien’s beautiful, emotional singing is again a feature on this track. The plea comes from the heart and is incredibly compelling. The song reaches a crescendo as Damien belts
“don’t let it sliiiiiiiiide!” Finally, we return to the piano only and Damien’s voice, reprising the first line. “I know what you want, I know what you need.”
*Sigh*
StayAnother of my faves, this song is incredibly powerfully evocative of loneliness and longing and it beautifully illustrates Damien’s songwriting genius. I find it exquisitely moving. The more I listen to the sadly beautiful lyrics and hear the wrenching cry in Damien’s voice and the plaintive melody “
So what’s the use in crying out? If someone’s waiting on the outside, hoping for a sign, then you could staaaaaay”, the more I’m moved, fascinated and mesmerized. Stuart has wisely used minimum instrumentation, just piano, guitar and drum, and allowed Damien’s amazing singing to be centre stage.
This is Damien at his best, for me. It may not be the most popular song on the album for most, but for sheer emotional impact, it’s a standout. Bravo, Damien!
PS. Having recently discovered that Damien wrote this song when he heard about the men trapped in the mine in Tasmania, it is even more remarkably moving.
Forgive, ForgetThis is one of the strongest songs on “Remember June”. It’s an awesome, powerful rock track, brilliantly produced. I love it! The impending end of a relationship induces the desire to forgive and forget, allowing the
“final goodbye” to be free of “
all the pain, all the tears, all the lies”. The song begins with simple acoustic guitar and builds into full-blown rock, synthesizing some familiar sounds with Damien’s creativity into a great track that, if recorded by a band like Snow Patrol, would sell a
truckload! Play this thing, Programmers Of Aus!!
Damien’s voice alternates from softly regretful to anguished belting “
It’s all over, nothing’s left – I knowwwwwwwwww!”..and it’s magnificent! The rawness, range and power in his voice is amazing yet he still conveys the emotion. It’s perhaps his best vocal performance on the album.
Stu’s production helps to fire this track up with an perfect blend of instruments and some brilliant atmospherics .. a ticking clock, some electronica and a full electric guitar-based sound that completely rocks!
See You AgainWhen this song is performed live, the audience spontaneously
wants to sing along! It’s a catchy, rocky track with a brilliant pounding beat that just begs you to get up and dance!
“Traffic is jamming, thumping in my heart..” I wish the recorded lyric was
“Time for love and no time for sex, like now” which is what we Tarts (Damienites) sing.. instead of
“time for sense”. Bwha!..
Love the nod to D’s Irish heritage with the bagpipey sound at the end. Yes folks, the Irish have pipes too.. bit different to the Scottish ones. They are a bit more melodic or are perhaps played that way?! bwhah!
* Ducks bricks thrown by those of Scots background*
The effects carry us into
Sorry“
I can’t wait, I can’t hide, my arms open, there’s no wounded pride, you get one chance, but I’ve lost mine and I’m running out of time, trying to reach the finish line. This is the way I say I’m sorry.”I first heard this song acoustically along with To Get To You and Golden Line. Have to say I love the fully instrumented versions. All three work both ways, but this song develops a power and poignancy with the full sound that I absolutely adore. Damien’s over-dubbed backing adds to the sound superbly, which of course, isn’t possible acoustically, there’s only one of him, after all! He could use a backing track live, of course, or Eric can sing the back-up, but the recorded version is awesome. D’s voice soars!!
Unordinary WorldFrom the opening effects this song has me firmly in its grasp. The lyrics are once again poignant and heartfelt and I can’t help wondering how much of them relate to Damien’s recent musical life. I get the sense of his optimistic, yet realistic perspective “
If I fall I’ll start again, open up and fight, my friend, the story starts but never ends in this unordinary world.” His world, that of a working musician,
“hoping that this time I’ll make my mark” is certainly “unordinary”, a word the pedant in me had trouble with in the beginning. It’s not exactly Oxford English, but it just
works, as much of D’s lyrics do. It sort of feels like it’s aimed at us, his audience, but I could be reading way too much into it. I like that, room for speculation and mystery appeals to me. So does the sweetly ringing, gently melodic, yet strong guitar tune that makes this song.
Another fave.
GoodnightMany of us heard this song, accompanied only by a keyboard, during D’s last tour. It was captivating then, but as recorded it picks up with an anthemic, powerful build that is the perfect closer for D’s live gigs.
Its pace is slow, almost dirge-like, which makes it perfect for farewelling a loved one, as the song was intended. It starts with keyboard and D’s voice, then an acoustic guitar chimes in, a tambourine follows, and by the time the drums arrive in the second verse, the song is sweeping you away
.” The emptiness keeps fillin up, never quite enough in your heart or on your shoulders.”I’m amazed at how the sadly gentle lyrics combine with the driving guitar (oh that soaring electric passage!) and drums with Damien’s edgily powerful, evocative voice to move me so much. I think this is one of the best songs D has ever written and Stu’s instinctually spot-on production has taken a lovely song to a place where it has become more than the sum of its parts. It’s truly perfect.
“I think it’s time that I said goodnight, you will always be my guiding light..”For All Of TimeAn acoustic guitar, Damien’s voice with minimal production and wonderful lyrics - what more needs to be said? The ending track of the album, or outro as they call it, (I’m not a fan of that term, but there’s the pedant again! Ha!) is simply stunning.
“Now that the day has taken you way, I pray that someone will tell me things will be OK
and I’ll wait for you For All Of Time” In conclusion:Damien has written an epic, cleverl -themed, surprising album, with Celtic infuences that are subtle but recognisable. Stuart has worked brilliantly with his acoustic music to produce it to its full potential and their friendly, heaven-sent collaboration has resulted in an album to savour, over and over again. I can’t wait to discover how the the relationships have been informed by Damien’s novel of the same name, which is set in Ireland during the Troubles. I guess I’ll just have to wait until it’s published in April.
It’s just such a pity so few people have heard it! Get your act together, Sony, and promote it as it deserves!!!
the sex song 
and did I mention For All of Time?... and of course, See You Again! 
Feel free to throw bricks. I’ll duck! 
bwah!
Great read and found myself nodding in agreement to nearly everything you said about each track. 
), or just a bad day in general, I immediately put on "See You Again" 
I'd listen to the kick ass rockier songs like Forgive, Forget, To Get To You and Golden Line 
) But it has, and I think life would kinda suck without it!