The Deceptive Cadence

The Quiet Attack of D&M
By Nina Ellis

There’s a kind of amazement that settles in when you listen to the five songs on D&M’s latest release. After forming just three years ago, the Philadelphia-based trio turned quartet has put forth their third EP, Wait For Me.  Between their dynamic sound and the versatile vocal contributions and heartfelt lyrics of singer, Daniel Fornasa, you would expect that they may have been at this music thing for quite some time, possibly being older than their average age of 21. And, then it hits you again, that bewilderment that such a young group has formed such a developed sound in such a short time. To say they are beyond their years would be an understatement. Citing influences such as John Mayer, Coldplay and Glen Hansard, it becomes a little easier to see how this group of Drexel University students have taken elements of pop, blues and rock and interpreted them in a way that makes their music engaging, sometimes playful and always sincere.

The piano-driven opening track, “The Sound of Breaking My Heart,” pulls you in with a simple, sweet melody, honest lyrics and the pure sounding voice of Daniel Fornasa. The song crescendos into layered harmonies, ultimately showcasing Fornasa’s vocal range and the band’s fuller rock sound with a conclusion that effortlessly blends pop and rock.

“The South of France” continues the bands method of combining soothing acoustic sounds, which are further enhanced by soft harmonies, with explosive progressions of Brandon Bost’s growling piano, Matt Klahre’s rousing electric guitar and Sean Donaghy’s powerful percussion. It’s this mixture of power and serenity, also exemplified in the track, “Philadelphia,” that lures you in, making you feel every aspect of what’s being relayed in D&M’s music.

Sometimes a bass line can make a song. Matthew Jurasek’s quirky riff makes “The Working Title” a standout. With an added roar of the piano and Donaghy’s toe-tapping beats, this song gets under your skin. Rounding out the sound is the addition of a horn section that gives the track a jazzy edge. Along with Fornasa’s aggressive vocals, it’s Klahre who brings the song home with the climax of his bluesy-rock guitar solo.

The final song, which is also the title track of the band’s EP, “Wait For Me,” proves that the band has much to offer. Fornasa’s lyrics and vocal execution are both earnest and rippling with emotion. The mix of blues and jazz is once again apparent in the breezy horn section, percussive elements and Klahre’s guitar accents. D&M paint a picture in your mind and you can imagine a man sitting on a porch, a glass of whiskey in hand thinking about the girl he loves and feeling every word of his plea.

Tagged: album, album review, album stream, D&M, Philadelphia, Philly, Wait for Me