DARTZ! "This Is My Ship" (Deep Elm) Review by Jordan A. Baker
Given the breadth of Deep Elm's roster over the years, it would be more than difficult to pin down a specific label sound. But if the numbers were ran, a band like DARTZ! would certainly find some musical companionship from at least a handful labelmates. Hailing from the UK, DARTZ! deliver a strain of propulsive, highly rhythmic, semi-dance flavored rock, not unlike Q AND NOT U or THE FUTUREHEADS. Never bland, or stagnant, DARTZ! keep the tempo flickering at all time. Occasionally the band walks itself into some silly moments, particularly on the stretched-out falsettos of "Prego Triangolos," but DARTZ! make it up to the listener when they turn to darker textures, and more serious tones. "Laser Eyes" is arguably the most impressive tune on This Is My Ship - the band minimizes the presence of the vocals and runs for nearly two minutes on the strength of spiraling guitars and shimmering percussion. The follow-up, "St. Petersburg," is nearly just as thrilling as bass lines become more pronounced and the song rolls into its conclusion with cymbals churning like a turbocharged hamster wheel. DARTZ! will never tantalize you with vocal hooks or booming choruses - that's just not their thing. But the band's ability to toy with cyclonish rhythms is borderline intoxicating, and elevates a style of music that I consider often best for background, to something that begs for a closely-guarded headphone experience.
