Trent Dabbs - Quite Often; Terminus Records
Review by Peter 1-10-2005

Decent pop album – some good stuff, but nothing really stands out or leaves an impression. Ranges from slower, emotive acoustic songs to more rock-oriented tracks with electric guitar. The album has a rocky start, but gets better for the middle to end (4-10 are all decent, with 5-7 being the core). Unfortunately, I often had a nagging feeling that I’d heard these songs before (via Counting Crows, Jason Mraz, etc.) and some of the tracks feel overproduced. For more laid back: 6, 7, 4/8/10 Rock feel: 5, 9

1. (3:14) Steady, mid-tempo - sounds like Counting Crows mixed with Shawn Mullins. Acoustic guitar first half, then electric with some electronic elements. Short drum intro.
2. (3:26) Mid-tempo, but more laid back than #1 – Simple acoustic guitar throughout. Nice, subtle female backing vocals. Light, shuffling percussion.
3. (3:07) Starts with forceful vocals. More upbeat, rock-sound, sounds like Jason Mraz. Electric guitar gives way to keyboard/piano, returns at end with heavier percussion.
4. (3:38) Soft acoustic guitar, consistent thump of bass drum and prominent vocals. Electronic backing vocals and more sound comes in after a minute, but stays pretty simple. Pretty, but a little repetitive.
5. * (3:14) Driving, distorted electric guitar from very beginning establishes rock feel. Vocals similar to other tracks, but seem to work better in this context. Good backing vocals, clapping percussion.
6. * (3:22) Simple, laid-back song, very pretty. Vocals prominent over nice acoustic guitar, thumping bass drum again and subtle backing vocals.
7. * (3:23) Another nice, simple song. Guitar is choppier, percussion is heavier, vocals slightly distorted, all gives it more of a rock feel, but in a restrained way. Energy/emotion come through in chorus.
8. (4:08) Sparse and more raw than other songs. Vocals are soft, but emotional acoustic guitar is probably most emotive element. Electronic sounds in background distract and detract from the simplicity of the song. Ends in staccato, uneven clapping.
9. (3:42) Rock feel again through vocals at first, heavier percussion and then electric guitar jumps in. One of the better rock offerings on the album.
10. (4:14) A good summary of the album in that it’s a nice, pretty song with good harmonies and solid, straightforward instrumentation, but the sound doesn’t feel particularly original. Still, a good song.