Deathray Davies frontman offers stripped-down solo debut
Lead singer and songwriter of Dallas power popsters Deathray Davies, John Dufilho consistently delivers the kind of sweet, hook-filled choruses that gives fans of Weezer and Fountains of Wayne instant diabetes. On his self-titled solo debut he dials back the decibels but still offers up the confections. “What Are You Waiting For?” and “I’m Outside” could fit easily on one of the Deathray albums, but acoustic, keyboard-driven gems like “Nobody’s Right, Nobody’s Wrong” and “Now I’m a Stick Figure” show a new side that is more indebted to Brian Wilson than to the power chords of The Who or The Kinks. Only the album’s length—a ridiculously short 25 minutes—keeps me from being more generous with my stars.