Review by Dan:

South London 5 piece DTA sandwich 2 ballads between 2 up tempo numbers in this 4 track demo. Sullen, brooding guitars greet us at the start of “Mr Anonymous”, initially creating a gloomy atmosphere. However, a clever change of pace and some input from lead vocalist Hayley, looking and at times sounding like a young Debbie Harry, transforms the track into a dark, foot tapping, rhythmic rock song, with a clever solo dancing over the chugging, malingering bass. “Used & Abused” is an angry accusation, Hayley’s initially sweet voice developing into one that is dripping with contempt, seemingly for a partner in a failed relationship. It does end a little abruptly though. The contradiction that is “Lonely Popularity”, lugubrious and solemn, opens with a vocal/lead guitar duet, growing in stature the older it gets, with the solo eventually developing into one that wouldn’t sound out of place on Dire Straits’ “Brothers In Arms”.

To me, the first 3 tracks on this demo could be seen as chronological – the one night stand of “Mr Anonymous”, the subsequent disappointment and anger about being “Used & Abused”, followed by the questioning of single life in “Lonely Popularity”.

“Time To Go” is an apt title to round off with, and vocally, Hayley is at her best, managing to convey the clear, definite finality demanded by the lyrics, whilst again a solo cavorts over the gruff bass.

I was lucky enough to see DTA perform live at The Catapult Club in London’s New Cross, where, in addition to the tracks described above, they also treated us to a cover of Skunk Anansie’s “Weak”.