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| Dan PotthastSweets and Meats2002 Asian Man 
 Review by: greg0rb See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on February 7th 2003 This man has written so many of my favorite songs, and my favorites by far in the ska realm. Dan Potthast is the singer/primary songwriter/guitar player of St. Louis’ veteran psycho-ska band MU330, and his sophomore solo album is damn good. I own every album by his band, but had not heard much of his solo stuff until I got this disc. His first solo effort, “Eyeballs” is now on my “to get” list after just a few listens to “Sweets and Meats.” Dan’s recognizable voice and straight-forward and often humorous lyrics will please any fan of MU330, but thankfully, the similarities beyond that are few. It really irks me when a solo album or side project sounds exactly like the musician’s main band, so this album pleases me on that level too. The music is merely acoustic guitar and Dan’s voice (often harmonizing with himself), while bass, drums and organ also enter into the mix with the help of two fellow musicians, who contribute great parts but play musically, keeping Dan in the spotlight. The songs are very diverse, with the ballad “Sharks” about a man in a speedo at the marina and “Tornado Joe” with it’s two-steppin’ country rhythm along side the many different acoustic rock styles covered in this album. “Clockwise” shows off Dan’s guitar skills, given a better chance to shine through in this stripped-down setting. “They’re Talking,” with it’s catchy vocals and sweet and simple organ part, and “The Pope” about how there were “more cops than Catholics,” preventing his mom from seeing John Paul II in person when he came to St. Louis, are two more of my favorites tracks.
Whether you’re an MU330 fan or not, you will likely dig this album, with it’s very sing-able melodies and many different orchestrations and styles crammed under the umbrella of “acoustic rock.” Mr. Dan Potthast pleases once again.
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i do hope you realize that basically every song on this album has a hidden meaning in it. that's one of the best aspects to it. you can make your own interpretations of what YOU think the songs mean and that makes them much more personal. i mean, how nice, a song about sharks swimming in circles. man, it's like a parable. it's more than a story about sharks swimming in circles Hey man no problem. I didnt mean for it to seem like you didnt do your research or whatever i was just simply putting out the extra info is all, but thanks nonetheless. I didn't even read the review but I want to comment on the transplants: I knew that was James from the Gherkin but I never was too positive... I shoulda known that voice anywhere! Hey fallingtopieces, thanks for the extra info on the other band members. I guess i didnt do enough research on that... i just know the album is sweet. (and meat?) Hey James is a kick ass tune I like "Favorite Song" off of Eyeballs.. so good! Havent heard any off the new cd though, maybe at ska summit I love this CD.. I met Dan when my band played with MU330 at the Fireside Bowl this January. . .he's a really awesome guy, one of the nicests guys in music that i've met. Go dan! this album is so awesome. My favorite song is "Streetlights" its about how when he was a child his teacher said that if they stayed so late that the streetlights came on you would gt pregnant, genius. I think there is a deeper meaning to the shark song than just a guy in a speedo because he keeps saying that it the sharks stop swimming in circles they would suffocate, i dunno. The other two musicians on the cd are none other than Lance Reynolds (he produced some Blue Meanies albums and i think he's in Bitchy) and James Rickman (from Slow Gherkin). Anyways, i love thie ablum, sorry if i went off on a tangent. |
