Add this to the fact that the instrumentation alone on this disk could stand on its own. The instruments paint a bleak, beautiful picture that words cannot fully describe. This is probably one of the best records I've ever heard.


beautifully melancholy music to the ears   March 3, 2003
Vallery Mariea Brown (Chicago)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Haunting and undeniably pressing vocals, full and rich guitar/basswork...this album is like making love when you are old enough to do it well. Pulling their band name from the local psuedonym for Mt. Mckinley, Denali's name embodies their art. Denali pulls at feelings of isolation while softly lulling the mind into an abject acceptance and almost peaceful bliss. It at once is everything their name implies and then just as quickly becomes so much more. Wonderfully produced and thoughtfully written, this album is truly a gem!


siblings, engine down, lazycain, richmond VA in a nutshell.   April 20, 2002
chinatown (New Jersey)
15 out of 19 found this review helpful

People have compared Denali to inventive bands such as Portishead and Radiohead. While there are elements of each band in Denali, this record proves to me that they have taken their influences, and have come up with a style that is uniquely their own. I would compare Maura's vocals to Beth Gibbons' only in certain songs, such as "Time Away" and "Lose Me." The most Radiohead-esque track on here, in my opinion, which is also one of my favorites, is "You File." This song also has one of the most beautiful bits of Rhodes piano at the end, mixed in with drums and guitar. As a friend once said, it is a song you would drive down an interstate to, and look up at the sky, and wish you were floating in it.

Two of the tracks were recorded with the help of Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous (who released one of the most amazing records of 2001--It's a Wonderful Life). These tracks are "Time Away" and "Relief". If you put the CD in your computer, you can see the video for "Relief", which shows Maura walking around a house.. quite spooky, yet I enjoy it. All the Engine Down boys make a guest appearance.

I also own the demo CD, which Denali had been selling at all their shows prior to the release of this CD. All the songs from the demo have been rerecorded on the new CD with beautiful results. The piano on "Function" will make your heart stop.. the vulnerability on "Prozac" will make you feel like melting into the floor.

My favorite track on this record has to be the last one, "Where I Landed." The way Maura delivers the last lines of this song contrast with the belting out of "no mistake stands in line..". Extremely beautiful.

And it is not just Maura who carries this band. Keeley, Jonathan, and Cam deserve as much praise. Jonathan's drumming sets the entire record.. if you ever see Denali play live, you can even see Jonathan play the drums with maracas. He's so intense. Keeley is Maura's brother.. he is an amazing instrumentalist. And Cam--he plays guitars. His guitar lines are essential to the band. Basically, if you took out any one of the instruments, the band, and the record, would not be complete.

This is my favorite record of 2002 so far, and I suggest anyone who possesses a good ear, go and buy this. It is worth your money (and maybe the 45 minute drive to the nearest indie record store). Tell your local record store to carry it--everyone who knows a thing about music deserves to listen to this record. It has not come out of my CD player since I got it. And do catch Denali live. They will put you in a trance.


Denali Denali Denali, where have you been all my life?   November 11, 2002
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I try not to like bands for aesthetic values like how the people look or their style, etc. but Denali's initial appeal to me was from a newspaper press photo I saw of them on a bus or a train. It was cool and somewhat detached and it made me curious. I read the description and it mentioned Goldfrapp and Bjork and Led Zepplin and I thought, I HAVE to hear this record. I was not disappointed. From the opening haunted whispers of "French Mistake" to the bells winding down at the end of "Where I Landed" I enjoyed every peak and valley of this album. Maura Davis's voice is still developing and she is still finding her identity but I could tell she is on a path to greatness and as long as these four continue to grow with each other, I know we are going to see (hear) amazing things from them. Do yourself a favor and discover them now.


lush like snow   March 14, 2004
Russell Marshalek (marietta, ga United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

denali call their music "gentle rock"...but it's far from gentle. emotionally jarring but beautiful, the vocals are reminiscent of beth gibbons from portishead, but with a bit stronger high end....at one soft and loud, denali bridge a gap between trip-hop, ambient and indie rock, and bless 'em for it.