UniversalDice’s Misfit Memoirs is a full-on emotional rollercoaster disguised as rock. There’s no way to box it in, and honestly, that’s what makes it so damn magnetic. Lead singer and mastermind Gerry Dantone has crafted a record that feels like a lived-in confession, somewhere between the gritty intimacy of indie rock and the drama of classic anthems. It’s raw. It’s messy. And it demands that you feel something.
The opening track, “My Heart is in Your Hands,” doesn’t even try to hide its vulnerability. It starts off like a love song you’ve heard a million times, but by the time that three-guitar solo hits, you realize this isn’t your typical indie fare. The buildup is slow, deliberate—it doesn’t rush to be anything, and yet somehow it hits hard. Dantone’s not just singing a song; he’s letting you into a headspace that feels a little too honest for mainstream radio.
And then, there’s “Once Upon a Time.” This track screams Springsteen vibes, but without the theatrics. Dantone doesn’t rely on cryptic metaphors here; he’s telling you exactly what happened, and you’re there for the ride. It’s one of those songs that pulls you in because it’s not trying to be clever. It’s just… real. Like a phone call with an old friend who doesn’t sugarcoat things.
But don’t get too comfortable in the introspection, because UniversalDice pulls some serious tricks out of their bag. “Kiss Me” takes a hard left turn with its warped piano and reversed guitar effects. It’s dreamy but not in the soft, floaty way you’d expect—it feels a little like you’re in a weird half-dream where you sort of understand what’s going on, but not really. The song is a love letter, but one that’s written in a language that’s entirely its own.
And just when you think you’ve figured out the vibe of Misfit Memoirs, “I’m Not Me Anymore” knocks you sideways with a rawness that digs into the complexities of identity, family, and, well, the messiness of being a person. “Curse” comes next and, wow, the way it tackles parent-child relationships with that unrelenting honesty is something you don’t hear every day. And then there’s “I Hate You”—which is somehow the least dramatic breakup anthem ever, with a line so stark it pierces: “’Cause you hate me.” It’s straight to the point, no posturing, no embellishments. You feel the weight of it.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. “Delectable” is an unexpected burst of energy, partly thanks to a strange, surreal backstory—Dantone claims the song came to him in a dream where none other than Paul McCartney himself was involved. Whether or not you buy into that, the track is an undeniable earworm, brimming with an easy, playful energy that gives the whole album a much-needed light moment.
By the time we hit “Slip Away” and “Forgot to Say,” you realize this album has taken you through one hell of an emotional ride. It feels like you’ve watched someone go through a full transformation, from confusion and heartbreak to a kind of acceptance. UniversalDice’s refusal to be pigeonholed into one genre or emotion is exactly why Misfit Memoirs sticks with you long after it’s over. It doesn’t cater to trends. It doesn’t care about fitting in. Instead, it’s a wildly personal exploration that demands your attention, drags you through its ups and downs, and somehow, leaves you wanting more.
Trace Whittaker