The famous gorilla Koko was trained to speak in sign language on a limited basis, After experiencing an earthquake the gorilla signed the words, “Darn Floor – Big Bite” to describe the incident. The gorilla’s limited expressions and inability to fully communicate the response is compared to man’s inability to express the wonders of God and the way life is lived with its many facets and expressions on one of Daniel Amos’ most constantly impressive albums of the same name. After finally completing the four album tour de force known as the “Alarma Chronicles,” (on four separate labels mind you), the band released its second album for Frontline Records. Now without keyboardist Rob Watson and featuring an increase involvement of the ever impressive Greg Flesch, the album was less atmospheric and surreal and more earthy and rock driven. It is a brilliant, rather accessible and stunning album that would remain one of the least successful projects in the band’s history. (Well, they did use the word “darn” in the title, so what did they expect?) I almost dread reviewing anything Terry Taylor does, especially what is found under the moniker Daniel Amos for fear of fans decrying a lack of understanding on my part as to what the band and Terry were attempting to create. Quite frankly a quick perusing of Daniel Amos websites and chat boards reveal that the only acceptable Christian Music Top 10 would look something like this:
- Alarma – Daniel Amos
- Horrendous Disc – Daniel Amos
- Mr. Beuchner’s dream – Daniel Amos
- Outdoor Elvis – The Swirling Eddies
- Bibleland – Daniel Amos
- A Briefing for the Ascent – Terry Taylor
- Shotgun Angel – Daniel Amos
- Doppelganger – Daniel Amos
- Let’s Spin – The Swirling Eddies
- Fearful Symmetry – Daniel Amos
and so on… There is no fan base in Christian music that comes anywhere close to the passion and obsession that accompanies the fans of this amazing band. Myopic and intolerant of dissent, they know more about every little release Taylor and Co. have even been involved with and to speak with any authority on the subject without prior approval and the express written consent of Major League baseball is strictly prohibited. So, walk softly and carry a very approving stick! The other problem is that, quite often, I have no idea what a song may be about. Taylor may be one of the best read songwriters in CCM (or anywhere for that matter) and his references to obscure writers and events can leave a puzzled look on many a face. That’s not a Taylor problem, but rather a listener problem; but it also can cause some severe confusion on the listener’s part. But despite the limited success of the album and it, sometimes, obscure content, it remains one of the best of the band’s career and has a cool freshness even as I listen over and over to it in writing this review.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist
1 – Return Of The Beat Menace – 2:56
2 – Strange Animals – 3:11
3 – Darn Floor – Big Bite – 4:22
4 – Earth Household – 3:49
5 – Safety Net – 3:28
6 – Pictures Of The Gone World – 2:47
7 – Divine Instant – 3:51
8 – Half Light, Epoch, And Phase – 4:15
9 – The Unattainable Earth – 3:42
10 – The Shape Of Air – 3:25
Credits
Backing Vocals – Gene Eugene (tracks: B5), Jeff Crandall (tracks: B5), Maria Chandler (tracks: B5), Mike Stand (tracks: B5), Ric Alba (tracks: B5), Riki Michele (tracks: B5)
Bass, Backing Vocals – Tim Chandler
Co-producer – DA
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Ed McTaggart
Engineer – Doug Doyle
Lead Guitar, Panpipes [Pan Flute], Concertina [Squeeze Box] – Greg Flesch
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Terry Taylor
Lyrics By – Terry Taylor
Music By – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor, Tim Chandler
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Producer – Terry Taylor
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Mixed At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA.
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
I always felt Terry Taylor was too clever for his own good! By that I mean that the meanings of his songs got increasingly obscure as he got further and further into Daniel Amos. Er, to me, anyway! I mean, I really enjoyed the music and lyrics of Alarma and Doppelganger (and yes, it was a literary as well as aural experience, and the literary aspect was quite satisfying and mind expanding)…but as albums progressed beyond that, I started to feel at a loss as to what was being communicated lyrically speaking. Plus, I missed (really missed!) the harder rocking sounds found on those first two installments of the Alarma Chronicles. So, I gradually lost interest! To me, it was this album (“Darn Floor, Big Bite”) that was the straw the broke the camel’s back, and I was done with Daniel Amos purchases. Well, that’s understandable in light of my enjoying the harder sounds of Bloodgood, Saint, Whitecross, etc. anyway. But I have to admit I admire the intrepid approach of Mr. Taylor, who refused to back off of his commitment to ART, even if it left us poor mortals in the dust. Speaking of which, Circle of Dust is quite the band as well!