By Lane Lannan

Brian D’Addario, renowned as one-half of the sibling duo The Lemon Twigs, embarked on a solo journey with his debut album, Till the Morning, which was released on March 20 of this year.

This venture allows D’Addario to explore themes that are more personal in nature and showcase his individual artistry, while still retaining the collaborative spirit with his brother, Michael D’Addario, who co-produces, harmonizes and co-leads on select tracks.

Till the Morning is characterized by a ‘country baroque’ aesthetic, a term D’Addario uses to describe the fusion of intricate orchestration with a country music style of storytelling. This blend is evident throughout the album’s 11 tracks, which explore various themes, including spiritual longing, isolation, loss and many more. 

A notable highlight of the album is D’Addario’s collaboration with Stephen Kalinich, a poet celebrated for his work with The Beach Boys. Kalinich co-wrote “Little Bird” and “Be Still” with Dennis Wilson for their 1968 album Friends and has maintained a longstanding relationship with the band. Their partnership brings a layer of lyrical depth to Till the Morning, particularly on the tracks “What You Are Is Beautiful” and “Song of Everyone.”

This collaboration not only enriches the album’s lyrical content but also establishes a tangible link to The Beach Boys’ legacy. The influence of Brian Wilson’s intricate harmonies and innovative arrangements is palpable throughout the record, echoing the timeless quality that The Beach Boys epitomized.

The title track, “Till the Morning,” serves as a poignant introduction, encapsulating the album’s overarching narrative. The song gets off to a great start, bringing in bright, bouncy drums and keys with some equally bouncy vocals overtop. When I heard this song for the first time, it was like I had been transported to the time of The Byrds, The Monkees, and other bands in that vein. 

Another thing the song does is highlight the quality of artistry you are getting with the album as a whole. There is a lot to love about this track in particular, and D’Addario does everything right to hook the listener immediately.

“Song of Everyone” delves into universal themes of unity and self-discovery. The track’s lush harmonies and layered instrumentation are evocative of the Beach Boys Today era in my opinion, showcasing D’Addario’s ability to channel a similar imaginative spirit that Brian Wilson possessed during those years.

“Nothing On My Mind” offers a more introspective narrative, with lyrics that reflect a desire for escapism and simplicity. This song surprised me initially, as it begins with a simple acoustic guitar intro. What I had assumed would be a ballad quickly exploded into an upbeat powerhouse. 

Everything in this song is done perfectly. From the production to the vocals, everything is working like a well-oiled machine. Bouncing along, this song just feels like a summer day to me, and as such, it is one of my favorites on the album.

From there the album has back-to-back ballads with “One Day I’m Coming Home” and “Only to Ease My Mind.” These are the first tastes of the softer side of D’Addario on this album, and they are both done perfectly. 

Not only are both songs wonderfully written and performed, but their position on the track list is perfect. In terms of album pacing, after a few upbeat songs in a row, it was definitely time to slow things down a bit, which is exactly what D’Addario did. These songs also showcase D’Addario’s versatility, showing that he can do more than upbeat songs.

“Company” delves into the human need for connection, with harmonies and arrangements that feel like a homage to “God Only Knows.” There is a sadness in the song, but also a sense of love within its lyrics. Songs like this are some of my favorites to hear, as there is always more to them than you initially hear on the first listen. I felt like I heard a new nugget every time I listened to this song. Plus, it features an incredibly placed guitar solo that sounds similar to something Brian May would do for Queen, which was the cherry on top for this track.

From there, D’Addario opens the gates of sun-soaked fun with “This Summer.” Everything, from the jangly guitars to the harmonies throughout the song evoke a strong Beach Boys vibe, but there is still some sadness present in some of the lyrics if you read them closely. 

This song became another favorite of mine almost immediately. It was hard to know what to expect following “Company,” but this was not what I expected, and I loved that. There is a sense of not knowing what will come next with this album that kept me wanting more. 

The other collaboration with Kalinich, “What You Are Is Beautiful,” absolutely shines. It is a track that emphasizes self-acceptance and inner beauty. The poetic lyrics, combined with D’Addario’s emotive composition, create a profound listening experience that resonates deeply with the listener.

After everything else is said, “Spirit Without a Home” encapsulates the album’s themes of searching and longing in a strong conclusion. Its ethereal arrangement and reflective lyrics leave listeners with a lingering sense of contemplation. Similar to how “Till the Morning” was the perfect start to this album, “Spirit Without a Home” proves to be the perfect ending.

Brian D’Addario’s Till the Morning is a testament to his evolution as an artist, seamlessly weaving personal narratives with rich musical tapestries. I did not specifically mention every track by name, and that was by design. There were surprises and things I did not expect throughout this entire release, and I want any listener to be able to experience that for the first time.

I will say this: any fans of The Beach Boys, or 60s-70s era artists in general, will absolutely adore this album. Everything is so well done, and it is an amazing listening experience from the first drum beat to the last harmonized vocal.

Website: https://www.headstackrecords.com/

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