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A review on DBS's album "Home" published by RainMaker Records in 1994
by K. Bosse
- What strikes you first when you only knew the worldwide-sold Interscope Records version so far, is that their big "Breakfast At
Tiffany's" is completely missing - but there are two other songs, one named "I Can't Wait", directly after "I Can Wait", and "Dear
Prudence" which was originally by The Beatles as the very last.
When listening to the CD there are no significant changes of "A Water Prayer", "Done" and "Kandinsky Prince", though during the
whole 40:27 minutes the drums sound terribly dull and everything has too much salt - erm, bass.
The hum at the beginning of "Gammer Gerten's Needle" is held throughout the whole piece and gives it an even more mysterious
touch, as do the background bells which are quite distinct.
What all the other songs have in common is that their beginnings and endings are not as sophisticated as their remixes, perhaps
because of the studio's (or budget's... ?) possibilities - "Song To Make Love To", for example, slowly disappears during Todd's "na na
na".
"Halo" presents a more sensitive and profound sound, pointing in the same direction as "Needle". What about "Josey"? See the
title above, that's exactly what it's like. It gets faster and faster, and Toby's "sweat it" is really wild. You can hear that for Interscope
"Josey" and "Red Light" were entirely re-recorded. But contrary to "Josey" it's too bad about "Red Light". This 4:45-minute-long soft
parade shows varied timbres and a breathtaking solo part with special effects. The new one is a downright mutilation of it.
But let's go on to the "Home" hymn. M. Patel's "cigarette and match strike" does not initiate it this time but can be heard in the
background during the beginning (if you know it, otherwise you will only ask yourself, what is this harsh scratching? - but it sounds very
realistic anyway). The chorus is accompanied by the question "What is John beating on??" - its sound is hard and obtrusive and does
not properly fit the soft tones of Todd's guitar and voice. It is probably unnecessary to mention that the train at the end is missing.
The only addition to "I Can Wait" is a better audible acoustic guitar - and a "That's it", probably by Toby, before the repeating end
chords.
"Wouldn't Change A Thing" contains more liveliness and passion in Todd's voice, and "Dear Prudence" afterwards - well, you all
ought to know it from the "Halo" or "Josey" single. It "was recorded live at Rick's in Denton" (the bar where they often played).
"I Can't Wait" -- is a one-minute-long Country persiflage by Kirk Tatom. The CD booklet provides no further explanation about it; it's
Kirk on an acoustic guitar interpreting sophisticated and difficult "finger games" which show that he is a very good player. What he is
mumbling while playing is not quite intelligible but sth. with "can't wait for my woman, she ain't coming home". The meaning of it stays
quite unclear. - But why not explain it with the fact that he is an artist...
In the whole I'd claim that it is a worthwhile experience for a fan to compare the two CDs with their same but different songs...
Personally I clearly favor the RainMaker version of e. g. "Needle", "Halo" and "Red Light" - although their renewal has partly improved
their quality and made their sound clearer I must say that their older forms are more powerful and rousing, and lead to different
fascinating aspects.
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