Now It's Overhead's Dark Light Daybreak

Modern technoloogy, incredibly, has allowed one man to do the work of four. Musicians previously limited to just a few roles — at best, those blues guitarists who can play the guitar and harmonica, sing, and stamp out a rhythm by using a tambourine jammed into a tight wodden frame, at worst, those jester-like “one-man bands,” — can now master a whole ensemble’s individual pieces by layering them one upon another in the studio’s digital 32-track.
Sometimes, the concentrated focus of one person’s vision is stunning – here, think of Sufjan Stevens, or Jim Noir — but on Now It’s Overheard’s Dark Light Daybreak, the result is a mixed bag. It’s obvious that Andy LeMaster, for the most part the one man in this one-man band, is an impressive vocalist and guitarist. But his performance on synthesizers, “beats,” and percussion sorely misses the input of more masterful participants. Nevertheless, the album has its stunning moments like closer “Nothing in Our Way,” and for these reasons, I pardon LeMaster for any sins his ego may be caused.