Day Action Band “Wives & Babies” (Captain Cape Records 2007)

The Day Action Band rock themselves into the realm of domestic bliss…

The Day Action Band released their first, mildly psychedelic and pleasantly weird album “Right On Dairyland” back in 2005. Since then, brothers Matt and Nate O’Keefe (the backbone of DAB) have both had more babies and entrenched themselves into a world of sleepless nights, nappy changing, and - as is evident from this new album - wandering down memory lane whilst embracing existentialism. Bring on the pipes and polo-necks.

Musically, “Wives & Babies” is less experimental than their previous endeavours, but this may reflect how their lives had changed over the past couple of years – it’s quite a feat juggling jobs, marriages, babies and producing really good albums.

DAB still manage to create a nice juxtaposition between the contentment and frustrations of domesticity, and when you listen to both of their albums in sequence it makes a lot of sense. The first album is bright eyed and bushy tailed, full of the energy and excitement of starting a new family. In contrast “Wives & Babies” has had quite a few sleepless nights, is contented but shattered, and could perhaps do with leaving the kids with the grandparents and going on a nice holiday with the missus.

This doesn’t take away from the overall charm, and "Wives & Babies" not only sounds great, but it gives a charming narrative into the ups and downs of family life. Great stuff.

Date review added:  Sunday, October 21, 2007
Reviewer:  Sian Claire Owen
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Band Website