Album Review- Daniel Romano’s “If I’ve Only One Time Askin'”
Daniel Romano is a hipster.
There, I said it so you don’t have to, and so the rapacious wolves out there ready and willing to pounce on this Canadian bastard and characterize him as a carpetbagger from an indie rock band who doesn’t have half the authenticity of REAL (all caps) country artists can just ravage themselves on the red meat of righteousness and we can just wipe the issue away and steady our focus on what we really should be worried about: the music.
What a hipster even is anymore here some 18 months after the cultural phenomenon has come and gone is up for debate itself, and why we even cared so much if someone was a hipster or not seems like such an ancillary concern now. The simple fact is most hipsters (whoever they were) fostered a creative and independent-minded enthusiasm for artistic expression, and whether that expression was in the country music realm or somewhere else, it was always a little more amenable than the cultural acquiescence of the mainstream.
But admittedly, if you’re looking for an example of a hipster, at least in the country music realm, Daniel Romano may not make a bad specimen. Frankly, when I heard the first cut from Romano’s new album If I’ve Only One Time Askin’, I was more than a little afraid this new album might be the moment when the traditional country fans lured in by his classic sound might find themselves feeling betrayed. The fake string sounds seemed disingenuous. Using a Roland TR- 808 drum machine in the tracking sounded like a terrible idea. On paper at least, it felt like Daniel had disrespected the album making process a bit with this new record.
But again, what’s the most important thing we should be worried about? The music. And in the case of If I’ve Only One Time Askin’, Daniel Romano delivers the classic country gold in the present day context just as good, if not better than anyone else around can.
And when I say “classic country gold,” I’m not talking hard-twangin’ honky tonk, I’m talking Golden Era Countrypolitan stuff—the sequined string-and-chorus music that crossed over into pop, and what the Outlaws rebelled against in the mid 70’s. That’s another reason to hate this record if you’re so inclined—because officially it’s country pop, at least in the classic sense. And while were continuing to pick on poor Daniel Romano, I’ll just mention that he’s not blessed with some amazing, one-of-a-kind voice (though he does great with what he has to work with). It’s also tough to label this music “original.” It’s more fair to call it “interpretive.” Romano’s more about evoking an era than defining the cutting edge.
But again, the music speaks for itself, and delivers. Just like classic old country songs from the 60’s that still hold up today, Daniel has the insight to pinpoint a very specific emotional defect embedded in the human condition, and then create the favorable environment for that emotional frailty to be called to the forefront through poetic insight set to precisely-appropriate music. Songs like “Old Fires Die,” “The One That Got Away (Came Back Today),” “Learning To Do Without Me,” and “If You Go Your Way (I’ll Go Blind)” seize on the fear of being left alone with a classic country deftness few others know how to recreate. Some classic country artists just wished to account for one or two such cutting songs in their careers, and Romano has just cut an entire album of them and made it look quite easy.
And then you get a song like “Strange Faces” that’s hard to tell what it’s about, but sounds like a classic country version of a They Might Be Giants song, and may be the most infectious tune of the lot. Roger Miller would be proud of a song like “Two Word Joe” with its modulating chords and fierce wit, though it resolves into another sad story like most all of the songs on this album. The final song “Let Me Sleep (At The End Of A Dream)” absolutely slays the heart.
Yes, this album would have been better if Daniel had splurged for real strings, and in between each song on If I’ve Only One Time Askin’ is a string-based interlude, including one that get’s all funky with Daniel’s “Mosey” trip that is sure to cheese off some traditional country fans after they’ve otherwise been lured into this album hook, line, and sinker. And maybe Daniel Romano is a Canadian weirdo who veers towards having a superiority complex and only shops organic fair trade. But screw it, I don’t care. His music hits on things many of those hard country twangers can’t touch, and like the Golden Era classics he looks to emulate, Daniel’s music has the quality necessary to be timeless.
1 3/4 of 2 Guns Up.
– – – – – – – – – –
August 1, 2015 @ 10:54 am
I always put him in the same category as Pokey LaForge, I don’t believe in their act–sure the music is great. But when they are even dressing the part of the sound it seems a little hokey. It takes me back going to see a show and everyone onstage looks like they came from the 50’s.
I’m also adding the Deslondes in that category. I had a chance back in 2009 to see Sam Doores play an acoustic in studio show at WWOZ in NOLA. At this point in time he was doing a Woody Guthrie thing, and looked like he was from the dust bowl era. He is a really talented kid and talked about his travels from hopping trains and how Bound For Glory changed his life. I followed his career as a fan after that and slowly watched him morph into this Americana old school honky tonk role even changing his clothes.
It just seems like a unbelievable act to me.
August 1, 2015 @ 11:33 am
“Daniel Romano is a hipster.”
Hahahaha. This made me laugh out loud, because it was the first thing I was going to gripe about, before I even clicked the article link.
….”The simple fact is most hipsters (whoever they were) fostered a creative and independent-minded enthusiasm for artistic expression, and whether that expression was in the country music realm or somewhere else, ……….”
Nah, not really. They just want to be different than everybody.
But seriously, this guy is worse than Sturgill Simpson, and it’s so sad that these are our options these days. His voice is grating to listen to, and his image makes me feel embarrassed for him. If there’s anything redeeming about this guy, it’s that he does have some ability to write. I would love to hear his songs, sung by a really good Country singer.
Trigger,
What is the significance of REAL in all caps?
August 1, 2015 @ 12:33 pm
Sturgill is amazing man. I’m not sure what you have against Sturgill or even Gay folks at that?
August 1, 2015 @ 3:03 pm
Sturgill Simpson is strange at best and a downright weirdo at worst. I thought “Metamodern” was a pretty good album, but his seeming inability to enunciate makes listening without the libretto an impossible task for anyone who wants to understand the lyrics. He may as well have titled the album “Sing distinctly I don’t wanna.” He’s a fantastic writer, (again though, he’s a strange one) and an absolutely spectacular guitarist, BUT the dude is off his rocker worse than pushing a purple straw hat through a keyhole. And honestly, he may well be the only person with a sound outlandish enough to turn the radio on its ear like Elvis or Johnny Cash did. And this is coming from somebody who frequently gets labelled as a hipster by people. I’m not a hipster, I’m just smarter than everybody.
August 2, 2015 @ 4:49 am
I can recite every lyric on High Top or Meta and have never had to read one sheet. Certainly not arguing with your opinion. Weird? Certainly but the message is real. That is basically no matter how many outside forces have changed him, only family and true love have gotten him to face his internal fears and be happy.
August 2, 2015 @ 7:12 am
I’ve convinced my band to play some Sturgill, audiences love it. He, whether or not we like, agree with, or understand him, is really shaking things up in the music scene.
August 1, 2015 @ 3:35 pm
He’s the dude that’s known on this site for hating Sturgill. But by his comments he seems to have never seen him live or listened to either of his albums for that matter. Sturgill must feel pretty good that his top hater has never even listened to his work. His avatar just proves he’s an asshole. Killing it.
August 1, 2015 @ 5:32 pm
Hey Wicket,
How’s it going? I haven’t been abused by you in quite a while.
How many times do I have to listen to that for you to accept that I don’t agree with you? I’ve tried several times, just to see if he’d grow on me, but I’m just not impressed.
The only thing my icon proves, is that I’m sick of people telling me how to think and what to believe. I’m actually the friendliest person you’ll never meet. But like I told the other guy, I refuse to discuss that topic on SCM.
August 1, 2015 @ 6:09 pm
If you refuse to discuss it, you need to change your avatar. Intolerance is ALWAYS a discussion starter
August 1, 2015 @ 6:22 pm
BwareDware94,
No it’s not, but I’ll be happy to discuss anything anybody wants to discuss, but on my website, not Trigger’s.
My icon is attached to my email, which I use all over the place, not just SCM.
August 2, 2015 @ 4:11 pm
What’s there to discuss? You’re wrong.
August 2, 2015 @ 5:06 pm
BewareDware94,
Zinger!!!!!! How long did it take you to think that up?
No, seriously, I know that’s the new line you all(regressives) are pimping. But I wish you’d make up your mind.
First it was, “if you’re not willing to discuss, then you need to change your icon”.
Now it’s, “What’s there to discuss? You’re wrong”.
When you decide which one you’re going with, holler at me.
August 5, 2015 @ 1:15 pm
How many times does trigger need to ask you all to take this nonsense elsewhere. I agree with one side and think the other side is wrong in this ongoing debat, but I’ll be damned if I’ll ignore the request of the guy that moderates this site and express my opinion . You all should be embarrassed by your behavior. This is a site to discuss country music. Why don’t you have some respect for trigger and do that And leave the part about your beliefs out of it. personally, I would trigger would delete all your comments when you make them. I don’t think there’s any reason why I need to be bombarded by your political and social beliefs. I come here to read about country music and learn about new acts.
August 2, 2015 @ 5:05 pm
BwareDware94: How dare you accuse anyone else of intolerance? if you were tolerant yourself you would accept everyone, even people with whom you disagree, but of course you won’t because it’s not about tolerance, it’s about agreeing with you, and therefore it is you sir, who are wrong, and always will be wrong.
August 2, 2015 @ 7:25 pm
You enjoy that fairy tale perspective, but it is not intolerant to call people out for expressions of hatred. I can tolerate differing opinions, but you don’t get to express hatred and bigotry without getting called out for it. And if you don’t like it, that’s too damn bad.
August 2, 2015 @ 8:35 pm
I’m curious how I pronounce BwareDware…. is it Bwear Dwear (as in bear) or B-Ware-D-Ware?
August 3, 2015 @ 6:47 am
I know you’re being facetious but it is the second one. It’s just an old forum name I use.
August 3, 2015 @ 3:53 pm
No I was generally curious. Thank you.
August 1, 2015 @ 5:09 pm
Castor,
Simpson is what he is, a tribute act. He might be mildly entertaining for a $5 cover charge down at the tavern. But beyond that, he’s about as boring as it gets. Luke Bryan is a much better singer.
And before you argue with me, for every Simpson fan who says he’s not a tribute act, there’s another fan who says the reason they love him is because he sounds just like Waylon.
As for the other issue you’re curious about, pertaining to my icon, feel free to come to my website and say anything you want, but I won’t discuss that issue on here.
August 1, 2015 @ 7:35 pm
What you just said is the equivalent of saying Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam sucks because he sounds a little bit like Jim Morrison on vocals.
And no thanks I’d rather pass on reading your hate filled manifesto– it’s people like you that actually make me ashamed to be from the south..
August 1, 2015 @ 7:53 pm
There’s no hate on my website, nor is there a manifesto. And I didn’t suggest that you read anything. All I said is that if you want to insult me, or discuss non musical issues, to do it there, not here.
It’s people like you that actually make me ashamed to be from Earth.
August 2, 2015 @ 4:39 am
Dude you sound like a prick. First off I’m not falling for your Sturgill troll. Like your avatar you are a hater and just looking for attention. By your comments you’ve proven you haven’t listened much if at all. Sturgill is about the only artist I can think of where I know of 4 or more of his family members and how he married his wife THROUGH SONG LYRICS. That’s no tribute, that’s real writing. Selling out every venue and having to book extra nights is more proof your just a hater. Folks don’t fall for this hate troller.
August 2, 2015 @ 7:08 am
How does one get married through song lyrics?
August 2, 2015 @ 7:22 am
Fuzzy, re-read bro….. “Know of…how he got married”
Don’t be a smart ass. You know what I meant……that is we know about the man’s life and family through his song writing. He writes of the love he found in his wife a lot.
August 2, 2015 @ 7:46 am
Okay sorry, I misread. No need to be nasty dude, simple misunderstanding. It’s a pretty common vice for text-based communication.
August 2, 2015 @ 8:15 am
Just because you like something, doesn’t mean everybody else does, or should. Stop crying about it.
I will concede one thing though. It was a mistake for me to mention his name. I should’ve known what would happen.
August 2, 2015 @ 7:54 am
Tried? Either you have gone to a show or not. You actually have to see a performance before you can establish a credible opinion. I suggest you go see Sturgill Simpson live before you start declaring him a tribute act. You may have to eat some crow, but at least you won’t be a fraud. Nobody cares about the book report when you haven’t read the book.
August 2, 2015 @ 8:11 am
I don’t have to go see someone live, to know whether I like their music or not. Are you really implying that, or am I misunderstanding?
August 2, 2015 @ 6:22 pm
“Luke Bryan is a much better singer”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
August 2, 2015 @ 4:50 am
He’s just trolling for attention.
August 1, 2015 @ 6:44 pm
That’s just the way I almost always see it displayed when someone is trying to shove some half-time Waylon impersonator singing in an overly-inflected drawl about cocaine down everyone’s throats. Yes it may be “real,” but that doesn’t mean it’s good.
August 1, 2015 @ 6:53 pm
Oh, so it’s your way mocking people who use the word “REAL” when they’re speaking about how great their favorite singer is?
So what singer are you referring to?
August 1, 2015 @ 9:04 pm
Clint: You must have started the website recently. I don’t remember it. I clicked over to see what it was about. Very good start!
August 2, 2015 @ 4:43 am
He’s just begging for attention
August 2, 2015 @ 8:08 am
Fuzz,
You know what I really respect about you? It’s that even when you disagree with someone, you articulately explain why you believe they are wrong; as opposed to just getting mad and attacking them.
The way you deal with people is probably going to take you far in life.
August 2, 2015 @ 8:54 am
I’m not sure what that has to do with your website, but thanks! a question: when you graded your top singers list, did you calculate range by lowest to highest pitch or by diversity of material?
August 2, 2015 @ 11:23 am
I did it by pitch, relative to Country singers, not all singers. If we compared the ranges of Country singers to pop singers, I guess they’d all score pretty low. And it’s not scientific at all. I just tried to guess their ranges based on what I’ve heard them do on record.
Hey Fuzz, do me a favor. If you have any more questions about my site, please ask me on there, so we don’t clutter up Trigger’s site with discussions about mine.
I’d love to hear your take on my list.
August 3, 2015 @ 7:10 am
Trigger, can you verify that Fuzzy and Clint are actually different people? If they are, they need to get a room.
August 2, 2015 @ 3:22 pm
Kudos to you for the Sturgill troll! Personally, I’m a massive Sturgill fan, but have nothing but respect for the successful, unrelated trolling you’ve done on this story
August 2, 2015 @ 3:26 pm
What is the correct, Jim Bob approved way to give an opinion, without being accused of trolling?
August 2, 2015 @ 3:31 pm
It’s usually best to start by not being a bigoted POS. That’s step one. Step two is not trying to piss off the one guy who respected your trolling.
Hint: the guy respecting your trolling is usually way better at it than you are.
August 2, 2015 @ 4:20 pm
Huh? I’m serious. Anymore, around here, if you hold a minority opinion, you’re a troll. If you don’t like the singer I like, you’re a troll.
August 2, 2015 @ 4:29 pm
No, when you’re trolling, you’re a troll. When your opinion is stupid, you’re stupid. This is all pretty black-and-white.
I troll people plenty and know how it’s done-dude, you were trolling. Went a little off in the process, but loved the intro. With a little practice you may yet become a master troll, but your website’ll still be Fox News-rejected shit. Hey, can’t win em all, right??
August 2, 2015 @ 4:54 pm
I feel sorry for you. You obviously have no life outside of deliberately irritating people on the internet. Don’t you have any kind of life of your own to live rather than get upset because people disagree with you? News flash, there are millions of people in this world, and nine out of ten of them disagree with you about something. I suggest coming to grips with that, it isn’t going to change and you’re not going to change them just by acting like a juvenile with a keyboard.
August 2, 2015 @ 5:00 pm
It amuses me that you think I have no life! Also amuses me that you think no one here knows you and clint are the same person. I’d legitimately be surprised to find out you weren’t also clint, considering your exact same opinions, writing styles, and your hard on for his shit website.
Would the guy posting under 2 names tell me more about how I have no life? I bet 9 of 11 people would disagree.
August 2, 2015 @ 5:08 pm
See that right there proves you’re confused. Even Kathy J knows that I’m Trigger and not Clint. Same writing style? nonsense, did you notice Clint used excepted instead of accepted on his website? Also, by attacking me and refusing to address my point you have revealed to the whole internet that you are unable to debate my points, thus proving me right, and you are trying to divert the conversation to save face. I’ve never met you, I assume you’re a reasonable guy face to face, but let’s try to act like it on the internet.
August 2, 2015 @ 5:19 pm
Aaannd…now those jimmies are rustled. My work here is complete!
If you’d like to maybe rustle my jimmies, send me an email to prove you’re trigger. Probably won’t do shit to me, but at least try. Did you just get the internet yesterday, cause you’re not very good at this
August 2, 2015 @ 5:24 pm
Okay Jim Bob. So, how do you determine which opinions are stupid? Also, are you trolling right now?
August 2, 2015 @ 5:30 pm
When my wife is gone, people left beer at my house after pool party last night, and I’m bored, your opinion’s stupid. That’s pretty much it. It’s a simple little system I’ve got.
And do you really have to ask about the trolling? #welcometotheinternet
August 2, 2015 @ 5:32 pm
I can’t tell if you’re serious, or trying to be a parody like Lil Dale… I think Dale could show you a thing or two about trolling. The Trigger thing was a joke because me and Jack Williams have both been accused of being aliases for the Editor…
August 2, 2015 @ 6:14 pm
“When my wife is gone, people left beer at my house after pool party last night, and I”™m bored, your opinion”™s stupid. That”™s pretty much it. It”™s a simple little system I”™ve got.
And do you really have to ask about the trolling?”
So, if I think your opinion is stupid, does that make it so, or do you get to decide?
I have to ask about trolling, because from what I’ve gathered here, it just means: to disagree with entitled young people.
What is the actual definition?
August 2, 2015 @ 6:19 pm
If you want to get all technical, the definition is:
“Your opinion is shit. Your website is shit. Your entire life is probably shit. And 17 of 38 people would probably think you’re a pre-op tranny who should reconsider.”
We all clear now?
August 2, 2015 @ 6:38 pm
What does any of this have to do with Daniel Romano’s album? Any further off-topic comments will be deleted. THANK YOU.
August 2, 2015 @ 6:22 pm
And there was no need to edit “millennial” from your comment. I’m in my 20’s, so the generational angle’s totally fine
August 2, 2015 @ 6:31 pm
Jim, I know this is cheap thrills for you, but can’t you just answer my questions?
Yeah, I didn’t want to insult an entire generation. I’ve been trying to be less “crotchety” lately.
August 9, 2015 @ 10:20 am
I only recently listened to his voice… I can dig it. I ordered the cd a few days ago. The songs are pretty good.
August 1, 2015 @ 11:40 am
Not the best voice, but very good music, melodies, and lyrics. I like it.
August 1, 2015 @ 11:59 am
I absolutely adore this album from start to finish. Daniel is one of my favourite crooners and does the album proud. I am surprised anyone has something negative to say about his appearance what is the problem with a well dressed gent playing excellent country music.
August 3, 2015 @ 2:03 pm
I agree with this 100%. I don’t try and follow trends, and I like what I like. I don’t care how someone dresses or their haircut.
I fell in love with Daniel Romano after listening to his last album.
No one ever criticized Porter for looking sharp.
August 1, 2015 @ 3:47 pm
Loved his last album ~ He Lets Her Memory Go (Wild) is one of the best songs I’ve heard in the last few years,a supebly played tune,poignant lyrics sung perfectly.The new albums on its way to me,looking forward to listening.
August 1, 2015 @ 6:15 pm
Yes, Daniel is a hipster. What his true inspiration is, I don’t know. But the guy makes some fantastic music. Get past the image and his past and just listen. It’s damn good!
August 1, 2015 @ 6:23 pm
Sounds pretty good to me.
August 2, 2015 @ 4:42 am
“we can just wipe the issue away and steady our focus on what we really should be worried about: the music”
Honestly I need to check it out but thank you for that line trig. Jesus that seems to get lost around here (not by you). Great review man
August 2, 2015 @ 6:57 am
I think Justin Townes Earle is an obvious comparison here, just in listening to the two songs posted. I get where it comes off as schtick, but when you distill it down, nearly all musicians have a schtick, and when they break with their schtick, we criticize them.
August 2, 2015 @ 7:28 am
I initially dismissed Daniel Romano as a phony hipster when I first saw the SCM review for Come Cry With Me. However, I saw him play with Caitlin Rose a few years ago and was won over by his sound. I then became a huge fan of his take on classic country sounds. So what if he’s from Canada? He makes great music and I actually really like his unique voice. I really think he genuinely loves classic country and he wants to recreate all the sounds on the old records. I think he’s labeled as a hipster just because that’s the world we live in today where people ironically like things that are labeled as “uncool”. I think if Daniel Romano wasn’t being earnest, he would have moved away from the classic country sound by now. Instead, he’s sticking to it after over 5 years of releasing great albums.
If anyone likes this album, but wants less strings, I really suggest you check out his 2013 album Come Cry With Me, or 2011’s Sleep Beneath The Willow. Both are, in my opinion, masterpieces.
August 2, 2015 @ 8:04 am
Great review. I really love this guys music. He is making real, original country music, something that is very rare these days, Go Daniel!
August 2, 2015 @ 9:02 am
Well, Daniel said he regretted that cover from the last album with the Nudie suit. That people took that seriously and so on.
The guy writes some fantastic songs and I just live the new album. With or without the cowboyhat.
August 2, 2015 @ 9:31 am
Saw him play a few years back and fell in love with what he was doing. I love Come Cry With Me and can’t wait to check this one out. At times he does seem to affect the look and the sound in an ironic way but songs like “A New Love (Can Be Found)” and “More Love From A Stranger” strike a chord of earnestness with me. Guess I’ll swing by the record store and sniff this one out.
August 2, 2015 @ 3:56 pm
THIS is country music. Pure and simple. Fantastic songwriter to boot. String arrangements on this new one are gorgeous! Hipster? Think that labelling boat sailed in 2010. I sure hope the “Nudie” style suit makes a comeback. A fantastic country music tradition that should be encouraged.
August 3, 2015 @ 10:42 am
I hate that Nudie suits are getting this negative association, because they . . . are . . . AWESOME!!!
Maybe when that ‘hipster’ connotation boat finally sinks to the bottom of the sea, the Nudie suit will have survived. Here’s to the unsinkable Nudie Cohn!!!
August 2, 2015 @ 4:16 pm
Hipsters do 2 things:
1. Dress like assholes
and
2. Tell you why
August 3, 2015 @ 1:33 pm
Gram Parsons was a hipster too.
August 3, 2015 @ 3:38 pm
I’ve been on the fence about Romano for awhile now, I think this album pushed me off, I love it. I do agree with what Clint said, his music would be so much better if a great country voice was singing these songs.
August 7, 2015 @ 3:32 am
I find it rather ironic that the underlying theme in this article, the need to judge music on is music credentials and not other superficial merits, is lost of so many people commenting here. In my opinion, the need to judge music on its musical merits is why sites like SCM exist, so why then are the majority of comments grounded in concerns about what he wears and the degree to which he’s a hipster?
As an adult I’m much more comfortable giving my view on someones art rather than spending time on a computer discussing someones clothing, or even worse their sexual orientation. Grow up.
August 10, 2015 @ 12:11 pm
Best album I’ve heard in 15 years.