If you ever find yourself yearning for the days of decades gone by when songs on the radio were actually credible and good...you may very well find yourself instantly falling in love with the music of Dan Cioper. Though most folks are probably not familiar with his name (yet)...Cioper has been a very busy and active man during the past few years. Since 2003 he has written and recorded over one hundred songs and self released six full-length albums. Originally from Chicago Daniel now resides in Austin...which seems like a much more appropriate place for him given the style of music he's into. The songs on Warrior Utopian are of the singer/songwriter variety...once very popular on the FM radio circuit in the 1970s and 1980s. With a bit of luck, this guy could easily find himself with tons of fans all over the world. He's got the tunes...he's got the voice...and most importantly...he's got the presence and personality to pull it off. Eleven superb hummable tracks here including "Billionaire Mother Theresa," "Coming Up," "Man In Rags," and "Drug Dealer." Top pick.
Dan Cioper: Press
Texas native Dan Cioper has been making music in the Austin area for the past nine years after his childhood in Minnesota. Warrior Utopian is Cioper’s first full length album since the death of his wife two years ago, and the eleven tracks all carry emotion stemming from the event, as well as the political criticism and activism that Cioper has been known for. The wide emotional scope of the album is mirrored in its full instrumentation, involving a number of fellow Austin area musicians, including producer Courtney Audain and others.
The opening track, “Billionaire Mother Theresas,” is simple in arrangement compared to the rest of the album and features a singing guitar. “Whole Lotta Wakin’ Up to Do” goes bluesy and continues the activist overtones taken in the previous track, with a whispered call to action, followed by a gospel breakdown towards the end. Warrior Utopian boasts two brass-sprinkled reggae tracks, “Satan on the Street” and “My Salvation,” on either side of “Coming Up,” a slower tune that utilizes strings, vocal harmonies, and a harmonica solo. Here Cioper sings about his “degree in kicking ass” and the need to stand tall and proud for yourself even when it’s the hardest thing to do.
“Madly Falling” is in true ballad form and extensive flute work plays around Cioper’s plaintive cries about the moment of realization of love. “I’m falling madly in love with you,” he croons, “I can feel it in my spine.” Title track “Warrior Utopians” is an anthem criticizing modern life and the evils of contemporary American society. This call for revolution features fiddle, guitars, cowbell, and intense emotional investment. With a slower pace, “Endlessly in the Sea” opens on a harmonica solo and Cioper’s high, soft vocals make it clear that he has “thorny tears” to be rid of. They’re also happy tears, however, as the song is about the perfection of a moment and the transformative power of love.
The entire album has religious undertones and makes frequent note of the power of prayer. “Man in Rags” is no different, and speaks of figures and parables from the Bible. It’s not as tight of a package as the other tracks, but the bells, harmonica, and background vocals keep it interesting. “Outlaw Songs” and “Drug Dealer” both call out the seemingly apathetic parties of American life, namely the government and the public at large. The style within each of the two songs varies from country to hard rock, with a strong blast of Middle Eastern flavor in parts of “Drug Dealer,” which neatly takes a narrative seeming to be about drug dealers and which in fact is a criticism of governmental healthcare restrictions, nicely carrying through the album’s loose, spiritual, and activist tone to the very end.
The smooth, country-rock sound of the opening track, "Billionaire Mother Theresas" is a nice introduction to singer/songwriter Dan Cioper. His new album entitled "Warrior Utopian" is set to be released on March 1. The album contains many of Dan's passions including country, folk, reggae and good, old-fashion rock.
Dan seems to have the most fun on the reggae flavored "Satan On The Street" and "My Salvation", expanding upon his song-writing talents. He kicks his heels up for the up-tempo country rocker "Warrior Utopians", but the gentleness of his voice work better along the acoustic strumming of "Man In Rags". His voice reflects a younger Paul Simon in the album closer "Drug Dealer" as he also gives us his best electric guitar chords.