Dark Donovan One Year Retrospective
2023
In Oct. 2023, Dark Donovan took to Instagram for the one year anniversary of their self-titled 2nd album. This included individual pics and liner notes for each song written by Tom.
In Oct. 2023, Dark Donovan took to Instagram for the one year anniversary of their self-titled 2nd album. This included individual pics and liner notes for each song written by Tom.
CHAPTER 01. THE MONOLITH
CHAPTER 01. THE MONOLITH
POSTED: Oct. 6, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 6, 2023
“The Monolith stands before meColdly watching ape become man”
Loosely based on Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”, The Monolith leads off the album. The song guides the listener through the evolutionary saga of humanity’s ascension from feral reactionary to cognitive intellect only to stumble on the myriad of traps set by society. But in the end, there is hope that one day we will be able to take the next step up the ladder because where there is new life, hope begins again.
Artwork by: Alana Hollander
Loosely based on Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”, The Monolith leads off the album. The song guides the listener through the evolutionary saga of humanity’s ascension from feral reactionary to cognitive intellect only to stumble on the myriad of traps set by society. But in the end, there is hope that one day we will be able to take the next step up the ladder because where there is new life, hope begins again.
Artwork by: Alana Hollander
CHAPTER 02. SLAPSTICK OF ANOTHER KIND
CHAPTER 02. SLAPSTICK OF ANOTHER KIND
POSTED: Oct. 9, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 9, 2023
“Sister, join your hand with mine And together we create a masterpiece Sister, join your head with mine And together nations tremble at our feet!”
Another one inspired by a preexisting work, this one from the novel Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut. The novel features many ideas and concepts but at its heart is loss. Vonnegut describes in the opening that he realized once his sister had died that he had been unconsciously writing all of his stories to her. And once she passed away he no longer had his “audience” to write to. In the song Slapstick of Another Kind, we see another angle on a popular theme that reoccurs throughout the band’s history; two halves are not able to survive separated. A house divided cannot stand.
Artwork by: Alana Hollander
Another one inspired by a preexisting work, this one from the novel Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut. The novel features many ideas and concepts but at its heart is loss. Vonnegut describes in the opening that he realized once his sister had died that he had been unconsciously writing all of his stories to her. And once she passed away he no longer had his “audience” to write to. In the song Slapstick of Another Kind, we see another angle on a popular theme that reoccurs throughout the band’s history; two halves are not able to survive separated. A house divided cannot stand.
Artwork by: Alana Hollander
CHAPTER 03. CARRION CROW
CHAPTER 03. CARRION CROW
POSTED: Oct. 12, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 12, 2023
“Carrion crow, you’re better than meWhen doors are locked, you hold the key”
Crows can use tools and solve puzzles faster than any dog. When you hear them cawing above you it almost sounds like laughter. Your mind tells you that couldn’t be but are you ever totally convinced?
Artwork by Alana Hollander
Crows can use tools and solve puzzles faster than any dog. When you hear them cawing above you it almost sounds like laughter. Your mind tells you that couldn’t be but are you ever totally convinced?
Artwork by Alana Hollander
CHAPTER 04. TELL ME SOMETHING REAL
CHAPTER 04. TELL ME SOMETHING REAL
POSTED: Oct. 14, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 14, 2023
“Red eyes starin’ at me, told me what he sawHe said, ‘Son, ya look lost.’”
Their deceptions are sometimes hard for the weary traveler to spot. They can cast their glamour and help you forget your name. If you were cold and tired and a strange man offered you a ride, would you say ‘yes’? Don’t wait too long to answer, your decision might be made for you.
Artwork by: Alana Hollander
Their deceptions are sometimes hard for the weary traveler to spot. They can cast their glamour and help you forget your name. If you were cold and tired and a strange man offered you a ride, would you say ‘yes’? Don’t wait too long to answer, your decision might be made for you.
Artwork by: Alana Hollander
CHAPTER 05. DIVIDED HIGHWAY
CHAPTER 05. DIVIDED HIGHWAY
POSTED: Oct. 18, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 18, 2023
“Driving under velvet skies at nightAnd the jagged landscapes of the dayDivided highway”
For everything that has light, there is shadow. You can look at where you live and see the beauty and the ugliness of it. THAT’S divided highway! This song was originally supposed to be on Econoline’s as yet unreleased 3rd album, but eventually found its home here. To keep the original spirit alive it features Anthony Zammit on geeetar, the only musical guest star on the Dark Donovan album!
Divided Highway video by Tom Doyle & Alana Hollander
For everything that has light, there is shadow. You can look at where you live and see the beauty and the ugliness of it. THAT’S divided highway! This song was originally supposed to be on Econoline’s as yet unreleased 3rd album, but eventually found its home here. To keep the original spirit alive it features Anthony Zammit on geeetar, the only musical guest star on the Dark Donovan album!
Divided Highway video by Tom Doyle & Alana Hollander
Harbor of Tears
Harbor of Tears
POSTED: Oct. 20, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 20, 2023
“Idyllic pictures in yellowed albumsNot a soul found on a country mile”
When it happened they swore they’d never go back, they didn’t know what might be waiting if they did.
Artwork by. Alana Hollander
When it happened they swore they’d never go back, they didn’t know what might be waiting if they did.
Artwork by. Alana Hollander
Ocean Road
Ocean Road
POSTED: Oct. 22, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 22, 2023
"I can find you where you find me"
We traveled across the country. I was walking along the highway when I realized it was time to begin again.
Artwork by. Alana Hollander
We traveled across the country. I was walking along the highway when I realized it was time to begin again.
Artwork by. Alana Hollander
CHAPTER 08. CHARYOU TREE
CHAPTER 08. CHARYOU TREE
POSTED: Oct. 24, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 24, 2023
“She’s set ablazeShe prays her soul to keepAs demented eyes cry to godTo come and reap!”
Party inspired by the novel, Wizard and Glass by Stephen King, this song feels more factual than it probably should. One of Dennis Mirovsky’s best performances on drums (and that’s saying a lot!).
Artwork by. Alana Hollander
Party inspired by the novel, Wizard and Glass by Stephen King, this song feels more factual than it probably should. One of Dennis Mirovsky’s best performances on drums (and that’s saying a lot!).
Artwork by. Alana Hollander
CHAPTER 09. BYSTANDER
CHAPTER 09. BYSTANDER
POSTED: Oct. 26, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 26, 2023
“Ego takes the soul,Makes a joke of everything that you know”
This song is pretty much the definition of an “album track” but it’s kind of a sleeper. It lets the dust settle between Charyou and Mercury but also has some deceptive power. Lyrically it asks, when you find out you’ve been going the wrong way do you have the strength to turn around or are you just gonna continue taking that ride?
Photograph by. Tom Doyle
This song is pretty much the definition of an “album track” but it’s kind of a sleeper. It lets the dust settle between Charyou and Mercury but also has some deceptive power. Lyrically it asks, when you find out you’ve been going the wrong way do you have the strength to turn around or are you just gonna continue taking that ride?
Photograph by. Tom Doyle
CHAPTER 10. MERCURY IN RETROGRADE
CHAPTER 10. MERCURY IN RETROGRADE
POSTED: Oct. 28, 2023
POSTED: Oct. 28, 2023
(Full Moon)
(Full Moon)
“And I’m running through the pinesAs the winter sun sinks lowA cloak of moon and stars And of worlds I’ll never know”
Your fate has been cast into the solar winds! Await your turn with the multitudes!
Photograph by Tom Doyle
Your fate has been cast into the solar winds! Await your turn with the multitudes!
Photograph by Tom Doyle
CHAPTER 11. HOPEWELL JUNCTION
CHAPTER 11. HOPEWELL JUNCTION
POSTED: Nov. 1, 2023
POSTED: Nov. 1, 2023
“When we were young, time could wait When we had time, we were always late”
We passed it on every trip. When we finally visited, we were expecting more. But I see the words every time and they always remind me of us.
Artwork by Alana Hollander
We passed it on every trip. When we finally visited, we were expecting more. But I see the words every time and they always remind me of us.
Artwork by Alana Hollander
