David Singer is emo's answer to
Ben Folds on his sophomore release,
Civil Wars, as prominently tinkling ivories set a melancholy mood. Even though tracks such as "I Will Come Back From the War and Then I'll Marry You" and "Slightly Damaged but Used" match this dour disposition, they and the rest of the disc have an optimistic underpinning that seems natural within the pop parameters
Singer sets up for himself, something that sets him apart from his Deep Elm labelmates almost as much as his instrument of choice does. Comparisons to
Elvis Costello's more pensive moments are also not out of place, if the former angry young man decided to join
Singer's contemporaries,
Jets to Brazil. ~ Brian O'Neill