New CD Review of...
David Garza
A Strange Mess of Flowers
By Debi Rotmil
I’m listening to David Garza for the first time in my life. Pathetic, isn’t it? He’s only been around since 1989, writing at break neck speed, turning out an impressive repertoire of tunes, and this reviewer was in the clouds listening to his contemporaries such as Pixies or Ryan Adams. While they grabbed the attention of the indie market, David slipped through a crack in the floor board, and fell into the laps of music hounds who are lovers of hooky, ruminating eclectic tunes. And thus, a devout following was born, and has lived strong for fifteen years.
His independently made albums are out there, yet not easy to find. (Thank you, Garza lovers. CMJ says you bought them all up!) But, this Texas born troubadour has endured, thanks to a seemingly endless pipeline to a highly caffeinated muse. His latest release, “A Strange Mess of Flowers” is a career retrospective, and is basically what the title implies. It is a bunch of colorful gems, some sublime, others raucous, picked in a field of albums released throughout the years. They are arranged in a box set containing four disks, each containing song lists that are in no meaningful order. It’s not chronological. It’s not even logical. But it’s a blend of heady, colorful, ethereal curiosities that are savory and fascinating.
Tunes such as “No Name” shows a virtuosity in guitar work, laying down flamenco styled strum and a vocal shout that is both melodic and joyous. Garza gets juicy in the jazzy beat of “What Do I Know”. The creepy heartbeat of “Kickit” gets under your skin. “Conmigo” starts with a crooning, smarmy DJ introducing the tune to his posse, suddenly turning into a rocking Barrio hop punctuated with accordion. “Dancefloor” is a boogie woogie honky tonk romp. Then he can switch gears, in the lovely acoustic “Basilica”, or the lilting “Foul Jasmine”. Honorable mention goes to “Valerian Aquarium”, an intoxicating waterfall of psychedelic tone, as Garza sings and raps with a sexy jive voice. And that’s another thing. Garza’s vocal range is everywhere. From sweet angelic songster to grumbling jazzman, he never sounds the same. It can be dreamy, or a soulful groggy hush.
A DVD is also included, containing footage of performances and impromptu vamping with guitar in local L.A. haunts. Artsy edits and on-the-road images add insight into the transient world of Garza.
Garza is one of those treasures you don’t want to share; however, he deserves to be heard. If you’ve never held a David Garza album in your hands, nor have yet discovered his music, “A Strange Mess of Flowers” is an accessible introduction to an intensely prolific artist. If you are among his savvy longtime followers, you’ll want this one.