Welcome to the EvO:R Independent CD Reviews Section.
I would like to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves to everyone. The EvO:R review section features reviews from various independent musicians that submit material for our consideration.

I wanted to let you know a little about our review teams collective thoughts on music. It's important to let the people that we review know how we think of their music and how we listened to their creations.

First of all, we strongly believe that if your music stinks then the world should know about it! After all, you have the nerve to charge as much for your stuff as the majors do so it better be pretty damn good. If your material is good, we'll be glad to tell the world. I We will hold nothing back! That is a promise.
The EvO:R CD Review Team

Tommy McKnight and James Chiarelli formed Dagger or a Dram to fulfill their constant thirst for two things: Rock and whisky. Both are easily accessible and should be enjoyed responsibly, or irresponsibly. Tommy and James, both formerly of the band PCR, began playing together in the Fall of 2002.

Shortly after, they began writing and recording with childhood friends Jesse Norris and Drew Finch. Since then they have recorded three cds, including the album 9, and played almost 200 shows in the Boston area and throughout New England. In the summer of 2007, they began recording with Chris Phillips on keyboard and will be joined by both Chris and Arthur Chaillou, an additional guitarist, for live shows.

Later that fall Dagger's first album, 9, was released and is now available through www.cdbaby.com and iTunes. The record's drums were tracked in August of 2007, at Studio Noir in West Bridgewater. Over dubs were recorded at Post Colonial Records, and the finished product was mixed at Blue Jay Studios and mastered at MWorks in Cambridge, MA. With the release of 9 in the winter of 2007, Dagger finally made it to the stage on April 25th at Copperfields in Boston.

Since then, the band has played to enthusiastic audeiences at various clubs throughout the city, including a sold out show at the Hard Rock Cafe. In addition they have taken to the stage at some of Boston's best clubs, including Bill's Bar, Olivers, and Church. With the Dagger line up in full force, they move in 2009 with a new album in sights and an ever-growing fan base behind them.

The DAGGER OR A DRAM - 9 Review
Written by Jimmy Dee Caterine

Dagger or a Dram is basically Tommy Mcknight on vocals, drums, and keyboard and James Chiarelli on guitar, bass and everything else. 9 also features Chris Phillips on keyboards.

9 opens with a tune called Script which is by far the best song on the CD. I was immediately sucked in by the country/rock flavor and drive. By the time I got to the 4th song I had to skip back to the beginning to make sure it was even the same artist.

Most of 9 sounds like The Eagles with less backing vocals. This has its pros and cons. On one hand, Dagger or a Dram has the opportunity to reach a large audience with its sound. The production and performance are awesome. The lyric writing is also very good.

On the other hand, most of the CD sounds like something I’ve heard before, which, again, is not necessarily a bad thing. People do tend to gravitate towards things they are familiar with and from that standpoint, I can see these guys taking their music to great places.

I would love to see Mcknight and Chiarelli go out on a limb as ‘artists’ and blend a few other influences into their music. We are in a world where the independent artist can thrive by doing something artistic and adventurous as long as they keep their feet planted firmly on the ground. People are looking for things that are just enough different that it makes it exciting. Dagger and a Dram:9 is just a little bit too safe to fall into the exciting category.

Samples from the CD:
Provided by direct links to the bands page on CD Baby

/Script /Loanfoot Avenue /Streets /Merle /Hyperdrive /No Shame/
/Stoned, Drunk, and Dead /Who /Dagger or a Dram /

Conclusion:

I would still recommend this CD to fans of The Eagles, The Band, and Neil Young. 9 is a very good record-it just falls a little short on the creative meter. At least take the time to download the song Script. I have listened to it half a dozen times and am not tired of it yet.
Jimmy Dee Caterine...EvO:R Reviewer.

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