UniversalDice’s Misfit Memoirs is one of those albums that’ll probably make you want to buy a leather jacket, drink whiskey in a dimly-lit bar, and rethink every bad decision you’ve ever made—just so you can feel something. This isn’t some standard rock album, but an unapologetic exploration of every messy feeling in between. Gerry Dantone, the band’s frontman, lays down the blueprint for this unpredictable, sprawling journey where classic rock, indie grit, and raw, self-exposing lyrics collide in a way that makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on someone’s therapy session.
From the jump, the album hits you with “My Heart is in Your Hands,” a track that opens with a love song vibe but quickly unravels into something much bigger. That three-guitar solo? It’s not a gimmick. It’s a statement: this song isn’t going to follow the rules, and neither is this album. Dantone doesn’t rush things—he lets the song build, each layer slowly packing on until it feels like the very air in the room is thick with emotion.
But then the band shifts gears on “Once Upon a Time.” This one has the soul of a Springsteen song, but minus the over-the-top dramatics. Dantone’s writing here is stripped-down, grounded, and refreshingly direct. No poetic fluff, just a guy telling you a story you swear you’ve heard before—like a conversation you’d have with someone who’s lived through some real shit. The kind of raw honesty that makes you feel like you’re in a dive bar, trading war stories with a stranger who just might know you better than you know yourself.
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Then there’s “Kiss Me.” This track throws a curveball, all warped piano keys and reversed guitar loops, creating this eerie, dream-like atmosphere. It’s not the kind of love song you casually throw on at a party; it’s the kind that gets under your skin. It’s surreal, out there, a love letter written in an entirely foreign dialect that keeps you on your toes.
And just when you think you’ve got a handle on Misfit Memoirs, the album takes a sharp turn into uncharted territory. “I’m Not Me Anymore” cuts right through you with its unflinching examination of identity and family. It’s brutal in a way that makes you uncomfortable, but that’s kind of the point. “Curse” digs even deeper into the complicated terrain of parent-child relationships, all delivered with a starkness that feels almost too honest to be comfortable. Then there’s “I Hate You,” which might just be the most refreshing, anti-dramatic breakup anthem ever. No exaggerated wailing. No overblown gestures. Just the simple, cold reality of: “’Cause you hate me.” It lands like a punch, with no frills or pretense.
But don’t worry, not everything is dark and brooding. “Delectable” is like a breath of fresh air—if fresh air came with an oddball story about a dream where Paul McCartney whispered the song into Dantone’s ear. Whether or not you believe the McCartney tale, the track’s infectious energy is undeniable, giving the album the playful jolt it needs to keep things from getting too heavy. It’s light, it’s fun, and it’s totally unexpected.
As Misfit Memoirs winds down with “Slip Away” and “Forgot to Say,” the emotional weight finally begins to settle. By now, it feels like you’ve been through a full-on catharsis, grappling with heartbreak, self-doubt, and emotional turmoil, only to land on something like acceptance—or at least a quiet understanding. UniversalDice’s refusal to be pinned down to any genre or single emotion is what makes this record so engaging. It’s not chasing trends or bowing to commercial expectations. Instead, it invites you into a space that’s chaotic, vulnerable, and utterly magnetic. This is the kind of album you don’t just listen to—you live it. And by the end, you’ll find yourself wishing it wasn’t over yet.
Gwen Waggoner
