Dave Hause is no secret to anyone that listens to punk rock. He is known for being one of the better storytellers in modern punk. After years in a variety of near classic punk bands Dave has decided to step into the folk singer realm. This certainly is less a copycat scenario as something he has been working on for awhile. While some of his peers nod towards country (Chuck Ragan) or straight out folk rock (Frank Turner) Dave exhibits his own style. Residing in a more acoustic oriented Springsteen style he makes each song and instrument speak for him.
The one thing very few people would be surprised about is the level of the lyrics. Each song tells a story much like his friend Brain Fallon. Moving lyrically from heartbreak to simple stories of going to shows each song shows a strong attention to simple details. While vocally it is notably more calm therefore never going into the throaty growl he sports in The Loved Ones. Instead the songs are sung with a strained yet calm voice that calmly tells each story.
The Instruments involved add a timeless quality that speaks more of his rock and roll pedigree than anything else. Incorporating mainly acoustic guitar and drums these parts carry the songs along and open them up for each other instrument that guests along the way. The piano and organ in the opening track not only surprise but create a beautiful backdrop for the vocals. The organ definitely helps to create an old school rock and roll vibe in the songs. Making the most of each instrument the songs really breathe allowing to push the melodic qualities of the tunes. Having these instruments to work with help to flesh out what would merely be calm but not notable folk rock songs.
Dave Hause makes the most of his opportunity to really show his songwriting skills off. After years of almost hiding it beneath punk rock songs he pushes to stories to the forefront. This shows how strong his lyrics are and creates a viable second career for him. While much has been said of the upcoming generation of Springsteen copycats very little gets offered as a true next generation in his style. Dave Hause has made it known he is a viable contender.
