Dennis Brennan- Rule #1
produced by Paul Bryan
w/ Dennis Brennan
Esca Records
It is a truly amazing and refreshing thing to stumble across a CD as unique as the latest from roots rocker Dennis Brennan. One of the things that makes Rule No. 1 so appealing is the variety of musical styles, from the up-tempo rock of "I Got My Own" to the radio-friendly pop sound of "Going Down Gracefully" to the punk grind of "Keep Me Standing," a great tune reminiscent of The Clash. And then there's "Where Did We Go Wrong," a seriously country number that somehow manages to fit right into the rest of the set.
Brennan proves without a doubt that he is a world class songwriter with these 11 varied tracks. At times his lyrics are very Dylanesque, as in "Government Johnny McKee" and "Barbara Allen's Dream." On "Trouble," "Book of Love," and "This Kind of Love," Brennan rocks things up with the best of them, while "Crying on the Avenue" is a moody ballad that sounds like a hybrid of Kevin Kenny and Elvis Costello, and "Dream in Six" closes out the set with passion and drums galore.
On this, his latest solo album, Boston's Brennan delivers the goods with powerful full-tilt rockers, acoustic tunes, and crafty pop songs. Brennan's songwriting and singing skills are present and very much accounted for. Much more than just another singer/songwriter, Brennan has the right stuff for a limitless career in the rock & roll arena.
– Michael B. Smith, All Music Guide
“Rule No.1 (Esca) stretches nuanced lyrics tightly over elemental rock and roll frames. Bits of Tom Petty pop up in th eopening track, ‘I Got My Own’; elsewhere, Brennan recalls such angry young Brits as Graham Parker and Joe Jackson... in a season where designated roots rock messiahs are coasting on less than stellar work, Brennan’s latest deserves attention.”
– Ben Greenman/ The New Yorker
Brennan has just released a sterling set of tunes, Rule No. 1 (Esca), on which all of his strengths as a singer-songwriter come into full focus. When he sings of broken promises or words left unspoken, you feel the heartbreak and you sympathize... The truth is never in black and white but always in the shadows... music is melodic and nuanced... seducing you with understated grace.”
– Ken Capobianco/CNC News Group
Listen to songs from Rule No. 1
Keep Me Standing
Crying On The Avenue
Govt. Johnny McKee