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Danny Barnes: Pizza Box

ATO

It helps to have friends in high places. With support from the Dave Matthews Band who introduced the self-proclaimed “underground” Danny Barnes to Pizza Box producer John Alagia (DMB, John Mayer), Barnes believes that this is his best—as he calls it, “fractured pop”—material of a nearly 20-year career. Barnes’ lead vocals, banjo playing and other instrumental work are the guts of each track while Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain keeps time throughout. Dave Matthews (responsible for the album artwork) provides backing vocals on the banjo-led album opener, “Caveman,” the ambient effect-laden “Sleep” and the lead single, “Overdue.” DMB trumpeter Rashawn Ross contributes horns on the aforementioned single, the laid-back “Bone” and the frenetic, album-ending “Sparta, TN.”