Destroyer
Dan’s Boogie


4.5
superb

Review

by doofy USER (43 Reviews)
April 4th, 2025 | 15 replies


Release Date: 03/28/2025 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Blame it on the Bologna

The ever prolific Dan Bejar returns and the super encouraging news is that three songs here feel like top tier Destroyer, and not only that but they account for a whopping 17:24 of the the run time ('The Same Thing as Nothing At All', 'Bologna' and 'Cataract Time'), so that's a mighty fine start. 'Bologna' in particular must rate as a top five post-'Kaputt' anthem and is something of a 'return to 'Chinatown'.

The opening duo of the supremely theatrical, Bowie'esque 'The Same Thing...' and the more frothy 'Hydroplaning...' will get even the most battle-hardened Destroyer fan sitting up in their seat, and they could be forgiven for hoping that this might end up a strong contender for 'best try since 'Kaputt'...but it doesn't quite work out like that. The next two songs are by no means bad, but also they're by no means fresh sounding either; 'Destroyer on autopilot' is about the sum of it.

Much better is the percussion heavy 'Sun Meet Snow' which, along with the aforementioned 'Bologna' and the consummate atmospheric workout 'Cataract Time', together help flesh out 'Dan's Boogie' and make sure it ranks highly as another more than worthwhile addition to what must now be considered one of the greatest catalogues in all of indiedom.



Recent reviews by this author
Jens Lekman Songs for Other People's WeddingsCass McCombs Interior Live Oak
Real Lies We Will Annihilate Our EnemiesTamino Every Dawn's a Mountain
The Tubs Cotton CrownDoves (UK) Constellations for the Lonely
user ratings (49)
3.5
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
DoofDoof
April 4th 2025


17289 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Take your 'extended soundoff of the week' medicine folks - good Destroyer album! Again!

Colton
April 4th 2025


16757 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

pos'd

Colton
April 4th 2025


16757 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

this album is fantastic. his best since Poison Season

artificialbox
Emeritus
April 4th 2025


3785 Comments


Love how “Destroyer on auto-pilot” still gets a 4.5 from you haha. I realize you’re talking about two specific songs but still. Nice quick write up Doof. I’ll have to check this soon, as is my duty as a Vancouverite.

Colton
April 4th 2025


16757 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I saw Destroyer open for FJM in February and he was great. he just walks out there looking like a geography teacher, not really talking to the crowd or anything, just doing his thing. his pants were falling down the entire time and he was constantly pulling them up by the ass with one hand. but every time he did this he would turn around first so his ass was facing the crowd. this Russian guy sitting beside me told me he didn't know Destroyer or FJM and only went cause his daughters wanted him to. then after Painter In Your Pocket he turned to me and he was like "oh my god bro that was amazing I've never seen anything like this. absolutely unreal" and just kept going on and on lol. dude was blown away

DoofDoof
April 4th 2025


17289 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Colton - well 'Painter in the Pocket' will do that to a man yeah.



I've seen Bejar solo acoustic once which was surprisingly great, and then once on tour for 'Ken' I think, a venue in Islington somewhere, looked like a church. I just remember the saxophonist being an absolute monster, while Dan was nursing his drink and bumbling about!

DoofDoof
April 4th 2025


17289 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

'Love how “Destroyer on auto-pilot” still gets a 4.5 from you haha.'



They are the least impressive part of the album, mainly because they're a bit deflating after the opening pair, but still kinda nice. 'Ignoramus' has some classic Dan lyrics and the t/t...I've listened to it ten times or so now but I can never recall a thing about it, but I always think it's solid while listening to it. One of those.

Colton
April 4th 2025


16757 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah the sax player is a beast. did they have the guy who plays keys and drums at the same time when you saw them?

DoofDoof
April 4th 2025


17289 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

You'd think I'd remember that so I'm saying no...though I could be wrong and he was 'one man band'ing it and I just didn't notice

Colton
April 5th 2025


16757 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

nah you would have remembered. guy is actually nuts

Nrap
April 5th 2025


536 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Classic dan being dan, Bologna indeed rules. Couldnt put my finger on it but I think you nailed it. It's kinda got that Chinatown vibe.

DoofDoof
April 5th 2025


17289 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah Nrap, it has me questioning which is actually the better song so that's got to be a good sign too.

Sunnyvale
Emeritus
April 5th 2025


6510 Comments

Album Rating: 3.8

Personally find this to be one of the weaker albums in his recent run, but that still means it's quality stuff - Cataract Time is awesome.

DoofDoof
April 5th 2025


17289 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

tracks 3 and 4 nearly kept it on a 4 rating but the whole justified the 4.5 in the end - I went back to 'Have We Met' and this seemed at least as good as that one, maybe a shade better

neekafat
Emeritus
June 10th 2025


26926 Comments

Album Rating: 3.4

some of this was really nice! some of it wasn't really



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy