Tom DiCillo’s reputation lives largely on his film work. The native North Carolinian is a longtime staple of the indie movie scene with notable forays into more mainstream efforts along the way. He garnered recent praise for his documentary on The Doors, When You’re Strange, and feature films such as Johnny Suede, Box of Moonlight, and Living in Oblivion catapulted him to the first rank of new filmmakers appearing during the 1990s.
URL: https://www.tomdicillo.com/music/shot-of-blue
However, a restless muse guides DiCillo. His 2013 debut album, Hurt Me Tender, provided ample proof of considerable musical talent. He draws from an eclectic range of influences for his music, but I believe it strikes a largely Americana vein. There’s no question that material such as his new single “Shot of Blue” boasts a deliberate, self-conscious sound.
His self-consciousness is far from fatal. Instead, I hear an artist who has a firm idea of what he wants and has specific ideas on how to best flesh out his ambitions. “Shot of Blue” feels and sounds like the most authentic musical expression of Tom DiCillo we’ve heard thus far. It holds nothing back, and his steady hand guides the song to its fullest potential.
Nothing misses. It is a coherent effort from beginning to end. The spartan arrangement eschews added instrumental ornamentation in favor of focusing on his vocals. His ability to tickle my fancy with low-key surprises like the song’s opening makes for an even more memorable listening experience.
DiCillo helms the accompanying video clip. It is a stylish, yet never ostentatious, “performance” video and sports tropes like jump cuts typical of the genre. However, its chief strength rests with DiCillo’s seemingly effortless ability to invoke mood in simple shots. He’s an engaging figure for the camera who exudes grizzled, unflappable charm.
He’s penned fascinating and first-class lyrics. Tethering the song’s foundation to imagery awash in natural images will prove instantly relatable for listeners and help the chorus hit harder. It is no surprise it is rife with cinematic overtones. His words for “Shot of Blue” have a near painterly touch that I appreciated with a single listen.
DiCillo doesn’t have a traditionally beautiful voice; far from it. Nevertheless, it’s a supremely emotive instrument, ideal for the single’s bluesy trappings. He shows the canny of a veteran singer throughout the single by knowing when to stress certain syllables, being attentive when to let up, and tailoring his voice to the beat. It’s difficult for me to imagine anyone finishing this song unhappy about his singing. Backing vocalist Sparrow isn’t omnipresent, but she makes an important contribution.
If the remainder of Shot of Blue proves as potent as the title track, listeners are in good hands. Tom DiCillo comes across as an artist in full command of his powers, and he’s meeting the challenge of writing important material. There’s no coasting here. The future is uncertain, and the end is always near, but I’m confidently predicting that Tom DiCillo’s “Shot of Blue” will broaden his audience and prove his most successful release yet.
