After listening to Dream Delay all the way through a few times I thought to myself, “finally.” Not since This Euphoria has there been a David Garza album I could listen to and enjoy all the way through. Dream Delay, like This Euphoria, showcases the diversity Garza posses as an artist. There really isn’t anything he can’t do. No, I mean it. He writes, produces, sings, and he probably do stuff we don’t know about yet. That’s David Garza.
Normally, I pick an album apart to bring you what’s good and tell you what to avoid. This is going to have to be an exception. The whole album is brilliant. With that being said, I’ll just talk about three of my favorite tracks on Dream Delay. Each has a different vibe and just really move me in different ways. I picked them in no particular order.
“Dead French Dudes” is the best fast track on Dream Delay and the most creative. Garza actually speaks a little French and his accent is good. (Remember I said he could do anything?) This track sounds like it could have actually been on This Euphoria to me, with the upbeat vibe, guitar and synthesizer mix. On “Dead French Dudes” Garza sings to a girl about how he is wants to talk to her but he feels he just isn’t cool enough for her. The song is more of the indie persuasion than alternative or singer songwriter genre, but I love it anyway.
“Wake Up” is Garza’s best ballad, ever. It is the song that Fiona Apple wishes was hers. I say that because it sounds like something I would have heard on Apple’s Tidal Wave album. “Wake Up” is dark, somber and beautiful. It’s just Garza at a piano singing to his beloved about why they are “at war” with each other.This very well could be a comfort song for anyone going through something similar in their own relationship or just likes beautiful piano ballads. This isn’t the track to blast while driving down the highway, but rather something to listen to while you relax or need something slow.
“Be My On and On” is another track on Dream Delay that I enjoy. I like the musical arrangement on this song more than anything. You’ll hear more instruments on “Be My On and On” than on the other tracks. It is so different from the rest of the album that is just stands out. “Be My On and On” is also upbeat, with Garza showing off his vocal range more than on his other faster tracks. My favorite line on the whole album comes from this song, and that’s “Unplug the DJ, DG is here to play”.
That last line is my suggestion to you all. Unplug your radio because unless you listen to obscure, independent stations, you won’t hear Garza on mainstream radio locally except for 101X occasionally. Purchase This Euphoria if you have never heard David Garza’s music before, as that is his best album. If you like that, pick up Dream Delay and you’re set. For current fans, you are probably already enjoying Dream Delay.
Check out the video for “2 Sinners in the Garden” off Dream Delay: