Alex Dezen Steps Away From the Damnwells and Pursues a Pensive Solo Sojourn

In some cases, it might seem strange that certain artists would opt to do solo albums while stepping away from their day jobs, especially when he or she is the primary person in the band they’re taking leave of. All too often they’re merely continuing on the same tack and making music that could fit the same template, while rendering the need for an individual outing somewhat suspect. That said, Alex Dezen’s second solo effort — and full-length debut — finds him fashioning a sound that is in fact decidedly different from the music made alongside his band the Damnwells. Where the group is decidedly spirited and steadfast, Dezen’s individual effort takes a mellower stance, filled with mostly reflective observations and tender narratives that are liable to bring a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. With only one or two exceptions — the singularly spirited “A Little Less Like Hell” and the tangled, tempestuous “If I Can Say I Love You On a Greeting Card, How Can It Be True” — the songs sway via bare-bones arrangements that purvey more than a hint of sheer melancholia. The reflective “I Don’t Want To Be Alone When I Die” and the tender ballad “This Is The Last Song (I’ll Ever Write onThis Guitar)” sound so vulnerable and emotional in fact, it’s hard to escape the feeling that as a listener, you’re actually eavesdropping on an intimate moment. Dezen seems to be using creativity as a catharsis, making the music uncommonly affecting and deeply personal all at the same time. Fans of the band — and those who simply appreciate any effort by a confessional singer/songwriter — would be well advised to delve into this one.