Do Not Revenge

Album review

Dan Black spent several years collaborating with dance acts such as Bag Raiders and Kaskade, but his wonky pop aesthetic returns more or less unchanged on his second album, Do Not Revenge. The luminous album-opener "Wash Away" is a fine example of Black's flair for combining singer/songwriter intimacy with vivid electro-pop arrangements; likewise, "Space Invaders" bounces, wobbles, and stutters, mixing bleeping synths with strings in its kinetic production. Despite this strong start, as well as Black's artistic aspirations -- the title comes from a Basquiat painting, and the album has an accompanying interactive project, 12 Songs, 12 Experiences -- Do Not Revenge is surprisingly bland. Too many songs share similar tempos and sing-song melodies and, more importantly, lack the spark of previous hits like "Alone" and "U + Me." Even the presence of two of the 21st century's most unique female artists only helps a little: Kelis brings some vitality to the otherwise lulling "Farewell," while Imogen Heap's lovely vocals (along with some well-placed handclaps and harp) elevate "We Drift On." However, traces of Black's creativity remain. The chiptune-tinged lullaby "Ballad of Player 1Up," "Blow"'s clever lyrics, and the ear-catching beats and hooks of "Headphones" all have potential, even though it feels like too little, too late by the time the more urgent track "Polar Bears" appears. Given Black's reputation for offbeat but catchy pop, Do Not Revenge's sanitized feel is all the more puzzling. It's too nondescript to actively dislike, but it's also disappointingly easy to tune out.

© Heather Phares /TiVo