Fight For Love is the title of Cat Dail’s recently dropped EP, a collection of seven tracks exuding an eclectic array of styles. And oh my, it’s terrific.
Produced, recorded, and mixed by Teddy Kumpel, the Fight For Love features Dail (vocals, guitar, percussion), Teddy Kumpel (guitars, bass, percussion, vocals, midi-keys), Shawn Pelton (drums), Clark Gayton (trombone), Steven Bernstein (slide trumpet), and Andy Erin (keyboards). Special guest star: Coyote (howl on “Molly & Matchbox”).
“Can’t Buy Love” sets the stage for the EP, oozing with a dark moody feel, combining SoCal soft rock, blues, and pop into a deliciously tantalizing tune. Full of wicked flavors, the music discharges menacing, sensual energy reminiscent of Chris Isaak, viscous with smoldering colors. Nuanced, subtle guitar secretions leak out like gooey oil.
“Player” opens with a funk-lite feel flowing into a folk/alt rock tune rife with Dail’s mesmerizing whisper-textured tones. “Catch Fire” emanates traces of reggae merged with smooth, mellow alt rock energy. As the music progresses, it gathers harmonic layering exposing scrumptious guitar licks.
Photo Courtesy Cat Dail
“Wonder Love” fuses resonant blues with subdued alt rock flavors. The result is a creamy, radiant concoction of supple, textured colors. I love the tight control of the guitars, never coming close to overcompensation. “Flow Zone” offers a funk-lite number, with gleaming touches of sultry horns and skiffing guitars. A psychedelic-colored solo, snug and surfacing, gives the tune a touch of pizzazz.
“She Can Fly” finds Dail demonstrating the crystalline sonority of her voice, cool and dulcet, kind of dreamy. Flavors of dream pop, blues, and jazz imbue the music with a simmering voluptuous opulence. This might be my favorite tune on Fight For Love because of its creamy, dreamy lush feel.
A definite country aroma encompasses “Molly & Matchbox.” Drawling guitars and sparkling tints, as well as plush washes of emerging harmonics make the song captivatingly gorgeous. Textured timbres from Dail’s voice inject just the right amount of elusive yearning.
Fight For Love is superb. Melodies seething with syrupy energy provide a sense of sensual imminence, while Dail’s suggestive tones add complex textures. Cat Dail definitely has it going on!
