Declan's Well - campaign Capsized

Campaign Capsized

Declan's Well
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

by Matt Mularz

One thing that is apparent when you listen to the first song off Declan’s Well’s album Campaign Capsized is that the drum programming is top-notch and sounds just as good from anything this side of Dntel or The Postal Service. Keenan Gaynor has been a drummer most of his life and that most have come in awfully handy on this record. What Gaynor also has is something a lot of other drummers crave for, the ability to write a song and not only a song but a really good one. This is an excellent electronic-pop album that pulls out all the tricks including manipulated vocals, bubble gum type synths and big pads. The songs wouldn’t be able to hide behind the electronic production for long if there was no substance but there is.

The album begins with “Overexposure” which doesn’t waste time getting maxed out on electronics with an exuberant verse that is delightfully catchy and nicely sets up the rest of the album. Clocking in at just over two minutes, the song ends before it begins but that’s ok because most of the other songs carry the same type of bursting enthusiasm, not unlike a band like Passion Pit. Some songs definitely fit the bill better than others such as “Life Preserver”. Another standout was “Faith” which starts with a hip-hop beat and mixed things up a bit. “Holding On, For Sure (Pt. III)” is more nostalgic than the other songs but is a good way to close the album.

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