Scott Daskam - November One

Scott Daskam

​November One
self-released; 2017

​3.8 out of 5

By Jamie Robash

When a person spends quite a bit of time, many  years in most cases, and then decides to strike out on their own there is usually a fifty-fifty chance that the album is either going to be a critical hit or a complete disgrace. A lot of it depends on said person’s influences and the bands they have been known to play with in previous incarnations. The merit of these records is weighed using some sort of formula based on past experiences. Does the solo album sound like a departure from the artist’s previous work? How much so? Or, if not, does it just sound like said person has made a solo record sans previously established band?

I can’t speak to the previous bands which long time San Francisco resident Scott Daskam has played in but I can speak to his latest venture, a solo record called November One. All that Daskam reveals about the origins of the record is that the songs were inspired by his travels abroad.

From the opening tune “SILVER” which is slow and sludgy, dark and heavy with gritty guitars and plenty of roiling and drawn out noisy hums, coupled with Daskam’s slick and shadowy vocal growl I thought that maybe he traveled to Norway to see some doom metal bands and maybe picked up on their vibe but only delicately.

But by the next song “LOWEYE” which is much more playful sounding despite its grisly electronic vibes, I came to realize that Daskam’s vocals just have that creepy Marilyn Manson baritone to them.

Later on with the instrumental “SUMDAY SUN” I found myself getting more into the music, which is very plain and good guitar and effects playing here in the vein of a more indie-pop shoegaze variety. The grooves and movements of the songs get better as November One progresses, pulsing electrolysis of rock that is “FOOLS VIEW.” Here I found Daskam’s vocals, a bit more laid back on the darkness, to be a very effective focal point on the song. However I felt the opposite on the dreary “ZALEEK.” 

The record’s closer, “GUIDE US IN” represents another rich composition on which music and vocals gel and hopefully this is a style which Daskam will follow in the future.
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With November One Scott Daskam has set out on his own and made a record that shows his potential and talent. If I had to list a required listening session for influencing Daskam’s next record the album that would be at the very top of the list would be the Cure’s  dark-stained and powerfully prolific Pornography. I think here he will find the pacing and nuances as well as the balance of guitar rock and gothic synth that he is looking for. ​

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