 
It makes sense that the cover for There Is A Way
is made up of mathematical angular shapes and
is the most artistic use of graph paper you’ve
probably ever seen, because this is as edgy, sharp,
and unique as music gets these days.
The second album by the frenetic art-punks Dananananaykroyd
starts with the perfect welcome back song in the
form of ‘Reboot’. Not being entirely
sure what a welcome back song is it’s confusing
that this encapsulates that feeling more than
any other song on this record. It’s upbeat,
mostly instrumental and sounds a bit like elevator
music before the screechy energetic vocals come
in and chart the path the rest of the album will
take. It’s hard to imagine a band that have
this much energy, but the fact that they have
a song called ‘E Numbers’ should tell
you all you need to know and the fact that the
chorus to that songs consists of a repetitive
“where do our tantrums go?” should
make you reach for the Smarties.
A six piece Scottish band their accent is amongst
the most charming qualities and the mellow tones
create some marvellous harmonies with the plethora
of instruments they hardwire into your list of
recognisable sounds. It’s wonderful to hear
a band every once in a while that understand what
a bass guitar can do and Ryan McGinness, bass
player, works his undoubtedly muscly fingers to
the bone while giving the band a bit of background
funk. Two guitarists, a drummer, and two singers
complete the line-up and suddenly the in your
face vitality makes sense. The play off between
vocalists John Baillie Jnr and Calum Gunn makes
for some interesting sounds. It’s a mix
of sheer screaming volume and power and insanity,
with melodic vocal prowess and traditional Pop
delivery.
A bizarre album indeed from a band that clearly
don’t give a shit what you think about them
and are all the better for it; this uncouth attitude
allows for the purity of punk numbers like ‘Good
Time’ to sit comfortably on the same roster
as first single ‘Muscle Memory’. It’s
the tracks like ‘Apostrophe’ though
that adopt a more repressed and distressed post-punk
style that slowly and quietly burn a little hole
in your brain. It might seem sunny, but under
that dynamo shriek and effervescent demeanour
this is introverted, dark, pessimistic music.
For those of you willing to dig a little deeper
and decipher lyrics like, “a spider’s
corpse is carried away by ants like voluntary
coroners,” then despite the stupid comedy
name Dananananaykroyd will reward you.
On their second album Dananan…oh forget
it-have proved they have the guts to be one of
few bands with a truly identifiable sound. There
Is A Way is a great record for you dance your
face off to or simply whack on your iPod for a
long journey; it’s an album with balls and
it’s taking no prisoners. Where they go
from here is anybody’s guess, but the only
way is up.
4/5
Review by Lauren Mullineaux
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