Album summary:
After a decade of DIY solo albums, Portland songwriter Dan Lurie steps out of the basement and into the studio with producer Cameron Spies for his latest release, Making Life Worthwhile. The album’s name comes from a 1918 book by former “King of Hollywood” Douglas Fairbanks. Inspiration can be found in strange places. In this case, the chapter titles inspired songs filled with fragments of memories spanning from Lurie’s Minneapolis childhood to meditations on growing up, finding purpose and stumbling through this modern world.
Making Life Worthwhile is a true collaboration, with Spies adding beds of synth, slinky basslines and creative arrangements to Lurie’s earworm melodies. How do you make life worthwhile? For Lurie, you go about your days and when the time feels right, you share an album about where you’ve been and where you’re going.
Photos (click for hi-res):
2. New Order of Living
3. Genius Plus Initiative
4. Feeding the Intellect
5. As the Twig Is Bent
6. Regeneration
7. Superior Superiority Super
8. Exalting the Ego
9. Through Difficulties to the Stars
10. Little Grains of Sand
Album credits:
Dan Lurie: vocals, guitar Cameron Spies: synth, bass, drums, guitar, vocals
Tyler Verigin: drums
Vanessa Rehder: vocals
Produced, engineered and mixed by Cameron Spies at Trash Treasury in Portland, Oregon. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka. Album art by Natalie Waldref.
Past press:
"Terrific tunes packed with chunky folk turns and sweater-warm melodies." – Portland Mercury
"This guy is leagues ahead of a lot of rock bands I've listened to when it comes to leaving an emotional impact in the heart of his audience." – Cassette Gods
“Sometimes an album endears itself to you in such a personal way that you’re sort of embarrassed to play it for friends, in fear they might not get it. Dan Lurie’s Spirit of ‘98 is fast becoming one of those albums for me.” – Willamette Week
