As someone who suffers from chronic mind wandering during daylight hours, Day Dreamer, the latest track from Otautahi indie rockers Bad Llamas, happens to find a resonant audience.
With an almost Oasis-like commitment to the core elements of rock ’n’ roll, Day Dreamer is a fascinating song of two halves that defies conventional song structure. Are there 2 different choruses? Or this 2nd one a bridge? Maybe it’s outro? Nope, now there is a quiet bit that is building again. The first listen definitely keeps you on your toes before it reaches its searing conclusion.
In the first half you find yourself tapping along to an upbeat blues infused pop-rocker with a chorus that has flashes of The Fratellis. The clever intro builds by slowing down into the main verse groove with nifty guitar work that draws you into the vocals. It’s at the two minute mark where it really kicks off, however. The second half begins with a boost to the tempo, and a refrain that is catchier than the main chorus. Or maybe this is the lone chorus, who knows? “I still believe we’ll reach the sea…” will be the soundtrack to your daily mind wandering, no doubt about it. But alas, the second half itself is only halfway through as the track halts to a breakdown that channels the epicness of classic rock acts such as The Who. Simmering along before, BAM!, it boils over into a rip-snorting, textbook rock n roll outro.
“You’re a bag in the wind as you day dream away” gently calms you down in that simmering breakdown before its final bow, however I’m not sure whether it is either the most liberating or terrifying bleak lyric. Either way it perfectly evokes the essence of the day dreamer. You may not be in control of where you’re heading, but at least you’re flying.
Bad Llamas play original music, currently recording, formed in Christchurch 2018.