Dave Sills: Reviews

One of the best singer/songwriters you've never heard makes a great, varied album:

Like all of the best art, Dave Sills's music is hard to describe in a few sentences. If, like me, you're the kind of person who listens closely to lyrics even the first time you hear a song, the first thing you may notice is that Dave is a smart, emotionally honest guy who works on his songs until they actually are DONE, with not a word wrrong--you can sample any of the songs Spare Rain, Yours & Mine, Habit or Where You Are for a taste, but every song really shows this. I don't mean to over-emphasize that point, but one of my pet peeves involves writers who just "settle" because a song seems "good enough". Dave defnitely isn't one of them.

Next you might notice that Dave has a beautiful sense of melody, made clear by the songs Not Far Behind, Where You Are and others. And, he can create a killer rock mood *without* a fast tempo (Yours & Mine; the climaxes and middle section of Put the World Away; All Messed Up) and create a lovely, swaying country-rock grooove too (Habit). He's a fine guitar player with a tight band made up of players that know each other very well.

You may hear some influences here and there (Mark Knopfler's early guitar style on "Wrong About You", pub rock in "Bring The Sun"--the best song that Nick Lowe never wrote--or the occasional "country rock" vocal inflection), but they're all used tastefully and don't overwhelm the songs. Plus, they're GOOD themselves.

Sampling some tracks should be enough to persuade you to purchase it in one form or another!

“How many times can we say ‘Let’s give it one last try’?” That’s the question Dave Sills opens with on his latest offering. And if you say you can’t relate to that, you’re either extremely lucky in love or you’re lying. Waiting Room is the soundtrack to a breakup, and Sills has a way of putting words and music to all the feelings that accompany such a heart-rending experience. Whether he’s singing of frustration (“All Messed Up”), anger (“Wrong About You”) or acceptance, Sills’ husky tenor really tells it like it is. In “Yours & Mine” he sums up a typical split: “I won’t say we’ll still be friends, it probably won’t be the case / ’Cause we were never friends in the first place.” Uplifting it ain’t, but Sills softens the blow with Hammond organ, shimmering electric guitars and a drum beat to drive your breakup blues away.

Dave Sills is a songwriter who continues to get better at his craft. Along with the songs, it’s nice to hear the obvious confidence Dave brings to his disc. Faith in one’s own work in conjunction with actual talent - that’s what the successful people in this business have.

This 'Room' from Chicago-based Sills is full of edgy rock sketches on the downtrodden side. With a sound at times conjuring both early del Amitri and Ryan Adams, gentle shuffle "Where You Are" and uptempo "Bring The Sun" are standout tracks.

Quite impressive.

Simply put, Dave Sills is a great artist and 'Sometimes Nothing' is a great record.

When I first got a hold of Dave Sills' 'Sometimes Nothing' CD, I was not expecting to find something that I connected to so much. But, as a music fan, I think that's the beauty of a really great artist - they make you feel things you didn't expect...and you dig it.

For starters, Dave has one of those voices that you get all lost in. At times there are hints of (early, solo) Ryan Adams and sometimes a little Jakob Dylan. It's familiar without drawing direct comparisons.

And then there's the songwriting. Take, for instance, "Flawed Magic" where our hero likens the end of a relationship to a parlor trick gone wrong. Not only is it one of the most clever analogies I've ever heard, it's like the guy has tapped into my very own relationship-challenged mind. Ditto on "Keep Running" (my favorite track) where he muses "in the movie of my life, I'm an extra". So true. There are lots of standouts here, though. And not just for the lovelorn.

This is a record that, after numerous spins, continues to inspire me and console me and resonate in my soul.

Refreshingly low-key... [with an] endearing wit that sets Sills apart from other singer-songwriters and has won him a legion of fans.

Really nice songs on here.

Alison says: This CD is great; the songs are very catchy and wonderful. Three thumbs up!

Heidi says: The day I received the CD I popped it into my changer and it's been on heavy rotation ever since. Such an amazing debut from an artist I'm confident is going places.

Emily says: The CD is great. I've been listening to it over and over. I love it!! Great catchy music.

Laurie says: The lyrics and music are so well suited for each other on this album that listening to each track makes me feel like I've had a very full and complete listening experience. The songs unfold in a wonderful way and the listener is drawn into and made a part of them. This album is an excellent effort and leaves me anxious for the next one!

'Campismylife' says: Even though I have been listening to this album for quite some time---I still love it! I find very few albums in which I can sit through the whole album without skipping tracks but I sit through this album on a regular basis. Everyone I play it for, falls in love with it also--instantly. Can't wait for the next album.

Azul says: Dave Sills has a new fan. It only took a few chords of Strength to Strength and knowing he's a Peter Himmelman fan for me to buy Sometimes Nothing... but as the music and words to Rivers Will Rise soared from my speakers and into my soul, I realized this man is beyond talented - he's a rarity, a treasure. I catch
myself merrily drifting along, being carried away by his voice. Mere words can not do this album justice. An instant favorite. I can not believe I haven't had this CD in my life untill now. Thank you Dave for spreading such grace, talent and beauty into our days and lives. I can only hope I can turn on as many of my friends on to your music. I feel like a kid, "hey everyone, wait'll you hear this!!"