Dakona is one of the new favorite rock bands here at cMusicWeb.com, and this
week we have a review to prove it. If you did not check it out yet, you
should definitely check our full interview with Skillet, and come back soon
to hear about their new album, Collide, because it really rocks. And for
more rockin' music, check out new band The Fighting Jacks, Superchick's
remixes, and Bleach's latest disc, all available today in stores.

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PERFECT CHANGE - DAKONA (2003)
by Rick Foux

One common misconception about Christianity is that we have it easy. Of
course, we're partly to blame: we paint ourselves as glorified boy scouts
who donate to the poor, fight ozone pollution, and help old ladies across
the street. Adversely, look at any Christian's life behind the scenes, and
you'll see that we face just as many (if not more) trials and tribulations
as the rest of the world. While they aren't classified as a Christian band,
listening to Perfect Change makes it clear that Dakona's members are indeed
Christians who have experienced these dark nights of the soul. They make no
attempt to mask or sugarcoat their feelings, which surface through their
lyrics in the form of anxiety, regret, and repentance. Instead the band
members share what happens when you allow God to become part of the
solution.

At first, you can't help but wade into the shallows of Dakona's lyrics.
Songs like "Good" and "Soul for Sale" seem amazingly bland on the surface;
so much, in fact, that it's easy to forfeit searching for any deeper meaning
and accept these guys as "just another rock band." Let's face it: It's
simpler to squeeze blood from a turnip than to divulge any significant
meaning from "Joyride in a hot car, baby." Anyone willing to try content
listening, though, will catch on to exactly what Dakona is trying to say.
"Good," which ironically is the best song on the album, is a glimpse into
the world of a homeless girl and a gradual understanding of the pain she
feels just trying to survive another day. "Soul for Sale" is exactly the
opposite. This time the girl we hear about is caught up in a life of glitz
and glamour, sacrificing her place in eternity for "fifteen minutes of
fame." Unfortunately, there's no resolution by the end of the track, and we
come away knowing only that "she wants to be where you can see / she wants
to yell out from her car, 'I'm a star!'" Dakona doesn't mention empathy
within their lyrics, but they certainly have a way of making you feel it.
Likewise, "Revelation" was written for a former band member who was forced
to make an important decision when his girlfriend became pregnant. Dakona's
summation of his anxious feelings lies in the chorus: "I think I've had
enough / I'm praying for a revelation / Can you set me free? This is killing
me." Thankfully, he acknowledges God as being in control of the situation,
and according to the band he has been blessed with a beautiful family.
Several other tracks on the disc also carry meaningful inspiration:
"Waiting" and "Trust" are about relationships gone awry and how God ushered
in resolution; worldly possessions are laid down in "Richest Man" as the
band grasps at eternal treasure; "Untouchable" is the tale of a hardened
heart who refuses to let anyone near while wallowing in self-pity; and
"Beautiful Thing" refutes the aforementioned track by pointing at God's love
for His creation, even though suffering is sometimes inescapable.

Pinpointing Dakona's sound can be misleading. Musically, they are a
chameleon band that can mimic practically anyone, so it's needless to say
that countless comparisons will be made. On "Waiting," Ryan McAllister's
vocals seem raspy and stretched, likening the performance to Our Lady Peace,
while "Revolving" comes as close to Matchbox Twenty as you can get,
featuring brooding, twisted melodies combined with vocals not unlike those
of Rob Thomas. Fans of Further Seems Forever will be pleased with
"Trampoline" as it features the signature warbling guitar that they're so
well known for, and John Biondolillo's drum loops on "Richest Man" share
familiarities with Lifehouse drummer Rick Woolstenhume's. Just when you
think you've heard everything, Dakona summons forth U2 and/or Delirious?
instrumentation on "Trust" and a bit of Remy Zero on "In God's Name," a song
lashing out at justifying wrongdoing in the name of God. Truthfully,
comparisons with such an arsenal of bands would be seen as unoriginal on
Dakona's part, but they pull it off incredibly smooth, throwing in various
elements here and there that set them apart in their own way. Proof lies in
"Center of the World," a blend of acoustic symphony and electric harmony,
making for an auditory delight like no other on the album. This formula is
repeated on the title track with smashing success and slight variation;
there's more prominence on the strings during the verses, and the chorus
explodes with worshipful energy. After thirteen songs and nearly an hour of
music, there's little complaining to be done about Perfect Change, and
honestly there's not a skip-worthy cut on the entire CD.

With so many lyrics about emotion and struggling, what exactly does Dakona
want us to take home after listening to Perfect Change? I think the chorus
of their title track probably says it best: "You, you make it so easy /
you've got a perfect change, a perfect change for me." While the band
reminds us that the hardships we endure are a part of life on this earth,
they also point to our Heavenly Father as the remedy for suffering. As you
listen to Perfect Change, try to imagine where you'd be today without God,
without forgiveness, without Christ's death upon the cross. Suddenly the
entire album sounds divinely inspired.

Read more about Dakona at their official site:
http://www.dakona.com/


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Feature: Skillet Interview @ Creation 2003
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/skillet/interview.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

2 - APT.CORE
Mixing Middle Eastern and Oriental sounds with ambient-style music is the
main focus of Will Hunt's creation, apt.core. The disc includes vocal
appearances from labelmates Ginny Owens and Christine Dente, as well as
others.

ASTRONOMY - BLEACH
After last year's amazing Again, For the First Time, Bleach are back and
looking to the heavens. One of the coolest album covers I've seen in a while
brings you into a whole new world of Bleach, which is heavily influenced by
Captain Josh Byers, who died over in the war in Iraq.

DWELL - VINEYARD MUSIC
A disc from Vineyard Music featuring 15 brand new tracks recorded live in
Cincinnati, it sounds like a youth-oriented worship album. The press
materials even lists the title track, "Dwell", as "Coldplay-inspired."

THE DYING ART OF LIFE - THE FIGHTING JACKS
Another entry into the foray of Tooth and Nail hard rock, The Fighting Jacks
do stand out from the crowd. Their melodic, driving rock has garnered them
mainstream success as an indie band, and it shows.

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS - JOY ELECTRIC
It's hard to believe that Christmas is coming, especially since it is over
70 outside in Minnesota. However, at just over two months away, Joy Electric
are ready for Christ's birth. Although the only non-carol tracks are the
ones already featured on Happy Christmas releases, these pop-synth
renditions of classics will be a good addition to your Christmas collection.
It's also the PICK OF THE WEEK.

RE:GENERATION - SUPERCHICK
In case you cannot get enough of the band who sings about the "Barlow
Girls," you now have another little gimmick to pick up. A bit more edgy with
a bit more beats, this disc even has a remix of their most popular song with
a guest appearance by KJ-52 as well as "Me Against The World," the new song
from the Legally Blonde 2 soundtrack.

THE SUPERNATURAL EXPERIENCE DVD - DC TALK
WELCOME TO THE FREAKSHOW DVD - DC TALK
Their first time on DVD (like Indiana Jones), these two concert/behind the
scenes videos will also have some nice extra footage and audio commentaries
by tobyMac, Kevin Max, and Michael Tait.

WIDE WIDE WORLD - ERIN O'DONNELL
While a bit more slow than her previous projects, veteran Erin O'Donnell's
fourth disc still showcases her beautiful voice and a new outlook on life
because of her three-year-old daughter.


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