(Self-released/MGM)

The wild west produces a tame beast.

There’s nothing really wrong with Dave Mann Collective. In fact, most of the factors of this album would, in regularity, point to success. Good sound quality, well-honed songs, instrumental interplay that is evidence of a band in tune with one another. But here is the catch: this album is so bland that listening to it is like eating a plain rice cracker. You know it’s good for you, far better than that fast food music that the major labels spit out at you, but you can’t really build a relationship with it. It sates your hunger, but leaves you even hungrier. Mr. Dave Mann and his cronies have found themselves in a conundrum. They want to sound slick, refined, well-produced. In doing this they have gotten rid of the vital ingredients: flare, originality and above all else, music that draws the listener in. All up, this album leaves you with a large hollow feeling in your stomach where enjoyment should be.

LINDSEY CUTHBERTSON

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