gods and things

Promotional efforts are in full effect for D:Ream with their new single, "Gods In The Making".

No promotional push would be complete without the requisite video. Of course, Pete and Al have seen fit to film one.



In these new DIY days, it's the technology that matters, not the perceived quality of the clip. And I like D:Ream's low-fi affair! It does the trick.

While we're on the subject of promotion, D:Ream have been making several stops at radio stations across the UK in the run up to the release of their brand new longplayer, "In Memory Of...", which is scheduled to be available from all fine "shops" on March 7.

Here's Pete with a couple of acoustic performances of "U R The Best Thing" and "Things Can Only Get Better" on a recent trip to Liverpool radio station Juice (*snicker*) FM.





A couple of thoughts. Firstly, please tell someone at Juice FM to dial down the reverb. Secondly, I think I have a little crush on Mr. Cunnah! More importantly, Pete's raw vocal really shines in an acoustic setting. It showcases the soulful nature of his voice which oftentimes can be overshadowed by production and effects.

Here's a little suggestion fellas... Record five acoustic performances in the studio with nothing more than guitar accompaniment. Maybe throw in a piano for good measure. Down and dirty. Some bonus stuff to enhance the next couple of singles or, perhaps, put together a special configuration of the album. You can pay me later for that idea. Large, unmarked notes will do. Thanks.

a thing about D:Ream

D:Ream, the duo of Al MacKenzie and Peter Cunnah, makes the long trek back from obscurity with the imminent release of "In Memory Of...", their brand new longplayer.

If you don't remember D:Ream, allow me to give you a little refresher. They had two of the best singles of the 90s. Both are about "things". Both were released three times each. Both are pop "classics". Both will give you the uncontrolable urge to dance around your handbag.

"Things Can Only Get Better" was their big breakthrough in 1994 upon its second release. It went all the way to #1 and improved on its initial chart placing of #24 of the previous year. In 1997, the song was co-opted by the Labour Party in the UK for the General Election and peaked at #19.



"U R The Best Thing" incorporates a device which uses a single letter in place of a word. This was made most famous by Prince. For this reason, D:Ream was quite revolutionary as it predated texting. Attention young people. Ke$ha did not invent this concept.





After previewing two singles more than a year ago - "All Things To All Men" (More "things"! I sense a theme.) and "Drop Beatz Not Bombs" - all went dormant. Reenergized and ready for action, D:Ream are about to issue "Gods In The Making", the third single from their forthcoming longplayer.

Let's have a listen.
D:ream - "Gods In The Making" (Radio Edit)

It has a dark and lovely, epic feel to it. Love the flashes of diva house background vocals. Peter's voice sparkles with an unbridled urgency. It even has moments that remind me of Seal circa "Crazy" and bits that sound a little like New Order. Not exactly a bad thing!

"Gods In The Making" will be available from all fine digital "shops" on February 28. The album will follow a week later.

D:Ream into action

Remember D:Ream? Oh those heady, raved out days in the 90s. They were colorful times. Weren't they, my kittens? Well, D:Ream are back, back, BACK! Oh, the Smash Hits flashback gives me goosebumps everytime.

D:Ream, the unlikely duo of singer/songwriter Peter Cunnah and DJ Al Mackenzie, had a string of mid table, UK hits in the early 90s like "U R The Best Thing", "Unforgiven", "Star" and the ubiquitous, Labor uniting anthem, "Things Can Only Get Better". In fact, the latter was not a hit once, not twice, but THREE times! The original single peaked at #24 in 1993 and Al Mackenzie split the scene shortly thereafter. Upon its rerelease a year later, the single rocketed up the charts and landed squarely at #1. Three years later, it was adopted by the Labour Party as their personal anthem which resulted in the single landing at #19 amidst election fever.



After Peter Cunnah put D:ream in mothballs, he continued to write pop songs for other acts including the first four hits for boyband A1. They included "Be The First To Believe", "Summertime Of Our Lives", "Ready Or Not" and "Like A Rose".



After a few years away, Peter and Al have reformed D:ream and are set to release a new longplayer called "In Memory Of...." which is previewed by the groovy single "All Things To All Men."



Always working the remix tip, D:Ream's first single in nearly fifteen years has been reswizzled by numerous denizens of the dancefloor including Jay Kay (a DJ from Belfast not the Jamiroquai main man), Pete Herbert, TJ Inc and Paul Gotel & DJ Story. The band also turn in a fabulous remix, as well.

Welcome back, gents!