Don Caballero was formed in Pittsburgh PA with the only core remaining member being Damon
Che, a drummer who is criminally underrated. They are a post-rock and math rock band that
offers no vocals on their 9 song hour long album American Don. This is a real experimental
album in a sense, this band pioneered what we know as math rock and although they don’t offer
many shreddy solos their inventiveness in rhythm and melodies really set them apart from other
bands in the 2000s. American don was released through Touch and Go Records in 2000.
Each member of the band carefully crafted each song on this album. Although at times it might
sound like randomness, these intricate riffs and melodies were carefully and meticulously
planned. Unlike other bands where the drummer’s role is too keep time, Damon Che plays a
part in carrying the ever-changing dynamics of this band. They often switch time signatures and
have abrupt stops that can change the entire feel of the song. There is not one song on this
album where the drums aren’t stand out in their role. When you listen to this album be prepared
to let your mind free and experience the uniqueness and beautiful soundscapes that this band
creates.
Because this album is so hard to describe and intricate, I won’t review every individual song like
I normally do. Instead, I’ll give a list of the songs I find good, and I hope you check them out.
I think the song You Drink A Lot Of Coffee for A Teenager is really interesting. The Peter Criss
Jazz is a really long song but one you can get lost in. Ones All Over the Place is a really
hypnotic song. Fire Back About Your Babys New Sex is pretty good too.
I really enjoyed this album. It took me like 4 listens to really get this album. There is so much
intricate feel and sound and uniqueness. Every new listen, I feel I appreciate a certain rhythm
that maybe I hadn’t noticed before. 9/10
