Opening comments, The Hopeful Dakota Kid

Minnesota Connections. And we all have quite strong Minnesota Connections. An intriguing theme and yet another example of the endless possibilities of this club. Even in this, Minnesota Connections could have gone in several different directions. That said, and seeing how this is being written shortly before Thanksgiving, I have this to share: I am thankful that Aaron chose not to compile a CD of his favorite Minnesota 5th Grade Orchestra selections.

Aaron's knack for design continues. I really like the greenish folds that reside inside the reddish-orange lettering. Makes me want to stroke it a little. I love that shade of blue as well.


The Hopefuls and Kid Dakota


Not only did I recognize 'Holiday' and the name 'Kid Dakota' - I was also somewhat familiar with them both. I actually have 'The Fuses Refuse to Burn' (Holiday) and 'So Pretty' by Kid Dakota. I have really gotten into So Pretty and it must have been difficult not to include anything off that album.

Question: The Hopefuls or The Olympic Hopefuls? Did they recenty change their name?

Darren Jackson can sound like Thom Yorke mixed with a little Rufus Wainright (sp?) especially on 10,000 Lakes (hey! look! I'm using numerals too). He has a really good voice for rock and pop. The guitars give the music an edge and they do lots of interesting things with their arrangements-they obviously enjoy a high level of production. I mean this in a good way - not the bad way that can make songs sound too slick, or the worse way - -when songs start sounding like Grace Slick - god that look she gives during the video for 'We Built This City' INSANE! ok, there is an excellent example of a song that suffered from way too much production. And a song that likely sounds better coming from an 8th grade orchestra from Iowa. I know this for a fact.

Back to Vol. 3

I like the bouncy rock of Holiday and the new musical elements that are introduced around 1:15. Not a fan of the hand claps but I LOVE the vocal choir thingy that comes out of the clap section.

The sound and feel of 10,000 Lakes is really nice. A heavy song that I think works really well. And more cool vocal choir thingy at 2:22 and 4:22.

Kid Dakota and the Hopefuls are certainly giving Minnesota a good name musically. I've been listening to Volume Three, The Fuses Refuse to Burn, and Kid Dakota to really soak it all in. I suppose the real test will be if I still listen to Kid Dakota and The Hopefuls in a year or so. For now - I am definitely enjoying them.

Volume Three will require further listens for sure.