Danny Baxley: “Ithaca” – There are no rules; there are no limits

While many will tell you that hardcore punk was the purest genre their ever was, it wasn’t. There were rules; there were limits; there was a certain style to it all. If you had long hair, if you were openly a drug user, or even if you admitted to liking certain out-of-style bands, you were a “poser” or whatever the hell dumb insult the hardcore listeners could throw at you. The truth is, Danny Baxley’s music is the purest genre there is. There are no rules; there are no limits; there are different styles injected into it.

While it’s no secret that the Baxley is great at his instruments and pretty damn good at writing meaningful songs, the overall sound he exudes on the single “Ithaca” is the sound of what left-field rock n’ roll should sound like. Danny Baxley is just your average looking guy who set out to write some good tunes, and he succeeded. This track is a perfect example of what alternative should achieve; it is never too heavy, too sloppy, too fast, never too anything. It’s good music for putting a big happy grin on your face.

Not because it’s happy go lucky party music. But because it’s courageous music – In the sense that some artists actually get to do their own thing…their own way and Danny Baxley has done it. And that’s a damn lot to smile about in an industry regulated by cookie cutter musical themes.

But rather than acting as a constraint, this freedom instead lets the Danny hone in on his strengths, and enhances the quirky eclecticism that is central to his appeal in all of his songs. This allows “Ithaca” to be simultaneously catchier, more eclectic, more passionate, and more technical than previous releases.

This song immediately hits you with the guitar work and the keyboards, which is quickly followed by Danny’s use of melody and dissonance, in an arrangement that bounces and slides through various phases and moods.

From his roles as an alternative and troubled troubadour to his intriguing work as an off-kilter songwriter, the exact nature of his charm feels less clearly defined than certain other of his contemporaries. This makes exploring his catalog all the more fascinating.

By turns an irascible noise-merchant and a generous, tuneful romantic, the many moods of Danny Baxley can be difficult to metabolize. As he and his restless muse continue to keep one step ahead of us, we can all continue to take pleasure in just trying to keep up.

Danny grew up in Texas but now resides in Boston. Recently married he has been involved with music for nearly two decades, as a writer, musician, performer and producer. Danny, who has stated that music was the only thing that saved him from his insane childhood, filled with abuse and neglect, now has two more loves in his life – his wife Sahra and his cat Aryana.

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