It takes an unusual dude to record his music in Nashville, but then release it on a label from Denmark. Through this decision and his music, Daniel James shows that he is in fact one unusual dude. Despite the buzz bands that he can be compared to (and the buzz name that helped in the recording process), James’ Canon Blue project
In the folk-tronica vein of early Múm records or a tech-savvy Grizzly Bear with some Manitoba/Caribou tossed together, James’ singer-songwriter sensibilities linger underneath sheets of billowing electronics. In fact, Canon Blue’s debut album, “Colonies”, was mixed by Grizzly Bear member Chris Taylor, which is evident in the spacey swoops and harmonies.
The self-proclaimed “electro-billy” artist fuses crackling laptop beats with lush vocal melodies. A direct link from Canon Blue’s MySpace will get you a download of the Halcyon EP, including the beautiful title track 
which also sits in the site’s media player. This track opens with a dramatic, Sigur Ros-climactic build before lunging into a Sufjan Stevens-esque pop song, complete with staccato piano and violin.
This is followed by the orchestral shuffle of “Avatar Furr”, a song complete with splashing cymbals and heavily multi-tracked vocals. “Pilguin Pop” flutters with synth stabs and a McCartney-esque vocal melody.
Even when the sounds get crunchy or rough, the melodies remain ethereal, transcendent.
For instance, “Battle Hymn” opens with stuttered, distorted drumkit and chanted, garbled vocals. James keeps the pretty coming, though, as a layer of clean, clear piano underscores the piece before a catchy vocal melody takes the forefront.
Throughout the “Halcyon” EP and the man’s MySpace, James showcases consistently “pretty” music, full of melodies, lithe synths and enough saccharine vocals to give anyone a sugar rush. For some, that’s a recipe for a great evening. For others, it can become a little too much. At worst, the MySpace is good for a song or two before you’ve had too much. At best, you’ll be immediately hooked and send a check to Denmark.
