Search - David Garza :: This Euphoria

The secret classic of the late 1990s

Michael Bulger | Rochester, NY, USA | 10/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Garza had been kicking around the indie scene since the very early 1990s before finally signing to a major label and putting out "This Euphoria," including stints in Dah-veed (the preferred pronunciation of his first name) and the wonderfully named Twang Twang Shock-a-Boom. None of his earlier releases provides much of an indication that something like "This Euphoria" was in store. Perhaps he was missing some aspect of major-label production, or perhaps everything just clicked when he was making it, but "This Euphoria" easily outpaces anything he had done before. That isn't to say that what had come before was of no value-"This Euphoria" easily outpaces most of what was released in the late 90's as well.It is really quite rare to encounter an album that veers so wildly in style from track to track, and uses so many disparate musical elements, and still coheres as well as this one does. Individual tracks each present their own attractions: "Discoball World" an introductory techno beat and radio-friendly melody; "This Euphoria" an easy psychedelia, in which the comparisons to Jeff Buckley come closest to being accurate (they rarely apply elsewhere, and actually when you hear that an artist is influenced by or reminiscent of Jeff Buckley this is usually just a fancy way of saying that he can hit the high notes), "Slave" an irresistible reggae-ish beat and playful lyrics; "Baptiste" an organic, evolving song structure that provides the album's single most satisfying number. Every song is worth hearing, and the range of talents Garza reveals on this album is truly stunning. It is sad, if predictable, that late-90's format radio couldn't find a place for him; his songs belonged in heavy rotation where everyone could become completely sick of them. Hopefully, this will someday happen with some less wonderful effort than this one.The only real drawback to "This Euphoria" is the expectations it produces-nothing else in Garza's discography, including his latest (as of this writing), "Overdub," matches it. For a generous dose of pop perfection, I give this album the highest rating."

One of the best albums I have ever heard, period.

Michael Bulger | 06/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Discoball World is by far the best track on this album, it is by no means the only one worthy of replaying over and over and over again. The beauty of this cd lies not only in the wide range of types of sound (a rarity these days) but also in the moving rhythms and unbelievably insightful lyrics. This music is good poetry. The real thing."

David Garza should be a STAR!

Pedro Delgado | El Paso, TX United States | 08/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It completely baffles the mind that David Garza is not a mega star by now. With his songwriting talents and the quality of his output, more people deserve to listen to him. I caught him this weekend at a local club here in El Paso, TX.. only $8.00 cover. Man, what a bargain. I've paid much much more to listen to awful music from much less talented musicians. What a show... at the end, he even treated us to a short acoustic set on the door outside the club! how cool is that... we all just formed a circle around him, like at summer camp. It was an intimate show...not alot of people showed up, but those of us who did really enjoyed it. And, you can tell he enjoyed it himself... it is good to see artists this passionate about what they do. Do yourself a favor... if you don't have this CD or have not even heard of it, go out and buy it. You will not regret it... every song is a gem (and they sound even better live!). It is, in my opinion, one of the best rock albums of the late 90's. If he comes to your town, go listen to him. Hmmm...come to think of it, maybe it's best he is not a megastar. I doubt one of todays alt-rock megastars could put on a show like he did."