With the release of their fifth album, Songs For The Universe, Folly Beach, SC natives Dangermuffin have delivered their most mature and concept-oriented album to date. A 17-track mix of electric and acoustic instrumentation, rock, country, blues and even some salsa, Dangermuffin continues to explore new moods and themes, all the while staying loyal to their coastal roots, making them one of the most entertaining trios around. In an interview with the Charleston City Paper frontman/guitarist Dan Lotti explains, “Most of the inspiration comes from the ocean, which is what Dangermuffin has always been about — drawing on those ocean breezes and really connecting with those natural energies.” Connect, Dangermuffin does.
Songs For The Universe became about frequency for the band. “Everything is frequencies. We are frequencies. Everything vibrates, so you can really find those particular notes that can really help the world. And that’s the goal,” says Lotti. To achieve this goal, Lotti tunes his A-note to 432 Hz as opposed to the standard 440 Hz. This is what helps create a different feeling to the notes and music altogther.
The opening track of the album “Ancient Golden Star” came to Lotti one night while in a dream. The song has Cherokee roots and is meant to be an examination into connecting with one’s own heritage. By understanding one’s own heritage better, one may better understand themselves more completely. Philosophical and introspective underpinnings like this one are what make Songs For The Universe such an enjoyable listen. It has an extra level of intellectual curoisty attached to it atop it’s excellent musicianship.
“Rising Phoenix” is another tune with self-empowering, positive vibes to it. Featuring eery acoustic guitar picking early, and later, electric guitar (Mike Sivilli), this song just like the mythical bird, builds energy along the way and ends with a brilliant swell of sound via Sivilli’s ripping guitar. The same can be said of “Little Douglas.” A clasically ‘Muffin sounding track, “Little Douglas” showcases Sivilli’s free and calming sound of Folly Beach, with changes coming ever so slightly in phrasing, yet in constant harmony with the theme.
Other songs like “Western Sky” and “Skinimin” offer a country flair to the record and feature drummer Steven Sandifer on his upright bass, a quirk the band has been incoprorating more and more into their live performances. Lotti’s vocals and harmonies are perfect for these stripped down acoustic tracks. Likewise, the blusey “Outside My Window” is something one would expect John Mayer to be playing, but do not underestimate this trio, blues is very much a part of their repetoire. Dangermuffin can cover all the bases. Just take a listen to the salsa rhythms of “Cicada” with Sandifer brushing nifty drum paterns all over the place or the hymnal sounds of “Rain” accented by Sandifer’s deep, resonating bass. There’s nothing these guys don’t do well.
With Songs Of The Universe, Dangermuffin adds another excellently eclectic installment to their discography, one that exudes peace, positivity, and the drive to become more at one with the universe, and more importantly, with oneself.
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