Flashlights - New Dastards single

What a great number 'Flashlights' is. It's as commercial as hell and once again shows what this sonofa' has to offer the music world. Dastards can be a solo project or full-blown band or anything in between. But there's no doubt whatsoever that the heart and driving force of Dastards is the unique and exciting singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Wake. And this guy is something quite special, very special, frighteningly special!! And scarily, there's some growing still to be done yet but I just know that Wake, (Dastards in whatever form), has been gifted with a lot more than his fair share of all round musical talent and a great deal of ambition - and grow he will. 'Flashlights' is rammed full of good things. It's bulging with interest; right from the pop-synth intro, through the nu-folk undertones and onto the catchy, melodic indie/rock vibe it's fantastic! However, having ranted about Wake I still have to admit that his whole take on contemporary music is not going to suit everyone; just as Brian Molko struggled to be heard with Placebo, so too I feel, Dastards will struggle at times - and probably for the very same reason; Wake's Molko-esque vocal sound is not going to appeal to all-comers. But hey, Placebo didn't do too badly did they? Actually, although quite Molko-esque sounding, I can see Wake and Dastards making much bigger statement overall - from a songwriting point of view Dastards seem to have an enormous armoury available to them purely from Wake's varied writing approach. And 'Flashlights' demonstrates just one tiny facet of that arsenal. Believe me, Dastards will make a big impression one day. Hopefully soon! 'Flashlights', as an individual piece of work, is truly excellent. But, it just leaves me frustrated because I want to hear a full blown ten or twelve (or more) track album from Dastards - and I'll not be satisfied or totally happy until they get one sorted. Yes, you guessed it - I like Wake, I like Dastards and I certainly like 'Flashlights'. Review by Toxic Pete www.ToxicPete.co.uk