WELL WELL<\/em> with Steve Albini? That experience was a deliberate effort to learn form the highly acclaimed engineer. Webb explains: “At that session I learned all I could about recording in hopes of applying it to future projects. This is the first group of songs to benefit from those learnings.”<\/p>\nAnd indeed, GOT IT<\/em> presents a notably different sound. It has a brighter and cleaner tone than previous recordings, and production wise it’s more indie rock calibrated than punk rock rough-edged. It allows more space and intricacy in the songs, while preserving their authenticity, steering clear of an overproduced and overpolished sound. Though I lack the technical jargon to explain, this may be my favorite sounding Dan Webb record yet.<\/p>\nThen again, it’s easy to discuss skilled engineering when the songwriting is at a high level like this. The EP starts with Gotta Be<\/em>, a semi-acoustic poppy indie rock duet that puts the spotlight on the super sweet dual vocals between Webb and his wife, Hilary. The repeated line, “Show me a better place to stand and I will plant my feet there,” at the end of the track? I just love that.<\/p>\nUp next is the altpunk standout Cliff Jumper<\/em>, followed by the poignant The House On Emming Street<\/em> – a song that reminds me of The Weakerthans both lyrically and sonically. Set Sail<\/em> introduces a different dynamic, with a less straightforward more starts-and-stops kinda structure. The EP closes on Stopped Clocks<\/em>, which offers melodic punk rock that is midpaced and has an emotional heft.<\/p>\nDan Webb sets 2024 off to a promising start, a year that marks DWatS’ return to playing shows, starting with at least one scheduled show in Boston this Summer. Here’s to an exciting year filled with exciting discoveries and captivating live experiences!<\/p>\n