I had to double check where Winnipeg is located in Canada. The Canadian city sits above the border of North Dakota and Minnesota. Now I sound more like Dora the Explorer than a music journalist. I always learn beyond the bio by reading old reviews and checking out past releases. Diane and Mike Isbister are the core of D2UR. In the late 2000’s they focused on music covers. By 2013 they released a full LP. As the years rolled on, so did their output. Our focus is D2UR’s new single, “Fire“. How the single came about is noteworthy. They were asked to create a music intro for a podcast. D2UR fell in love with the concept and took it to the next level. I am curious about the version the podcast received. That’s a tangent for another day. Let’s break down this track.
Nuance is the key to this song. Once the band latches onto a vibe, they don’t stray. Nor should they. That vibe is warm and lush. In the background like velour chairs in a jazz club play’s a brass melody. Jangly rhythmic guitars lure us in for an intimate experience. As the chorus arrives, the sound expands like switching to a camera’s wide lens. From here on, the trajectory slowly climbs. Rich round sounds begin to layer over like fine sediment at the mouth of a river basin. On cue, a guitar solo delivers exactly what listeners hoped for, euphoria. Knowing how to slow down a barreling locomotive takes experience. D2UR give us the chorus twice on the outro, and a drum breakdown as the curtain call. A perfect dismount.
Vocals on the track and the guitar solo share something in common. They both show restraint. The guitarist could have given us over the top Satriani-esque solo licks. Instead, he played to the track’s flow. Same goes for the vocalist. She sings with impeccable dynamics and command when riding the wave of sounds. Her pen, the brawn. Her delivery, magnanimous, comforting like a warm hand guiding us through uncertainty.
Everything doesn’t have to be cranked to 11 all the time. Clearly the band understands that concept. They play with poise and passion. We can hear those qualities from their first release years ago. They continue to impress as they progress. I would expect nothing less from a band of seasoned veterans.
