David Dondero
(Team Love)
David Dondero seems slightly unnerved. And a bit unhinged to boot. That's not to say he doesn't have cause to feel that way. Considering the state of the world today, and the feeling of frustration that seeps into ever pore and fiber of modern man's existence, who can blame him? Still, it seems to hit him especially hard; after all, he's been chronicling humanity's foibles and missteps for the last 17 years, and few have even bothered to take notice. Dondero waxes freely about the aggravation of being a steady road warrior with next to nothing to show in the title track, and in the process, takes his listeners inside the life of an indie artist trying to gravitate towards the Big Time. He continues to find fascination with life's little oddities - a sad sack who insists he's the messiah (the jittery "Jesus From 12 to 6"), dealing with the housing bust (a folkie-strummed "Just a Baby in Your Momma's Eyes"), the serenity that comes from a rare refuge (the aptly-titled "It's Peaceful Here") and the desperate desire to find a relationship he won't walk out on (the assertive "Caught the Song").
Still, despite his erstwhile pronouncements, the melodies that underscore his observations often seem to waver, as if they've been shaken off their foundation. The quivering arrangements suggest that Dondero's uncertain about his present course, possibly feeling the weight of the weariness that comes from having to keep on keeping on without really knowing who's even paying attention. It's a discouraging prospect, but fortunately, there's still hope. Both astute and entertaining, #Zero With a Bullet may force even the most indifferent to finally take notice.
DOWNLOAD: "A Zero With a Bullet," "It's Peaceful Here," "Carolina Moon" LEE ZIMMERMAN
