Daniel Johnson (Pre-Podcast - Text Only)

Alt / Rock / Electronic
Artist: Daniel Johnson
Album: Lazrus
Track: “Heart Of A Dog”
Street date: July 21, 2009
Label: Moodgadget

RIP Vanilla Rock. Long Live Daniel Johnson!



Observation (by fellow coworker): There are very few radio stations out there nowadays that exclusively feature simple, modern rock—it’s all either classic rock, hip hop, pop, or oldies. Apparently in New York, there are no more modern rock stations left ever since K-Rock 92.3 went under! Now while we may all take a moment of silence and prepare for the seemingly global domination of Lady Gaga and other Lady Gaga wannabes (and an ensuing army of Kermit the Frog capes), maybe Rock’s temporary, self-imposed leave isn’t entirely a bad thing…


Maybe Rock has gone into rehab (the glamorous kind), only to reemerge from its musical cocoon—edgier and sexier with an electronic twist—in the form of such likes as Daniel Johnson*. The track, “Heart Of A Dog”, from his debut full-length, Lazrus, is the perfect illustration of how rock can be bettered; this bluesy electro-rock track almost sounds like something of Beck’s, but younger and hipper (and less trippy lyrics). His own stylistic vocals in tow, Daniel Johnson offers the listener no remorse regarding the alternative / rock genre—his electronic production is just so tasty!

Seriously, anyone can rock out to this album.

Go check out his MySpace.

*Not to be confused with cult favorite singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston, who has produced over 30 albums, is bipolar, and draws the weirdest little pictures.

Other notables at Moodgadget: Mux Mool, The Synchronicity Suite, and Machinedrum.