Darius Koski – What Once Was Is By And Gone

Darius Koski of Swingin’ Utter fame surprised the punk world with Sisu, his impressive solo debut.  Flavoured with twangy folk-punk ranging from boppity country to the essence of brooding gothic folk-punk, Koski has an uncanny knack for keeping listeners on their toes.  For his follow-up release, What Once Was Is By And Gone, Koski takes a deep plunge into the lesser known, making for some wholly unexpected and fairly unique songs.  One moment he’s channelling Johnny Cash, and the next Tom Waits.  Koski is confident in his risk taking, and the result is unlike anything else on the Fat Wreck Chords roster.

But before we delve into the less conventional side of things, it’s worth noting that What Once Was Is By And Gone still offers many songs in line with Koski’s previous effort.  Opener “Black Sheep” offers the familiar casual twang running through Koski’s country tracks, with “Because He’s Beautiful” building up to a trot with a little more of that full bodied guitar punch and “Yes I Believe” featuring a big ol’ upright bass leaning heavily on rockabilly for inspiration.  “Dead End Days” and “Little Johnny” could even pass as stripped down versions of Swingin’ Utters b-sides.  Collectively, there’s a small EP worth of familiar sounds drawing comparisons with Larry & His Flask and Greenland Is Melting spaced throughout the album.  This ensures that regardless of how far Koski strays, he always veers back to safety.

And does he ever stray. Moments after “Black Sheep” Koski launches into “Old Bones,” a stripped down organ and acoustic guitar piece with a soft piano crescendo that can only be described as delicate.  Quiet, personal, and reflective, Koski exudes a humbleness seldom explored by any punk frontman’s solo endeavors.  “Stay With Me” ventures further down the rabbit hole in a song best understood as a serenade.  From the ghostly opening whistle, to the sorrowful violin and enchanting female accompaniment, the song evokes blissful emotions most suited for a private waltz amongst lovers.  These are words and associations I never imagined I would make with Koski, and bare little resemblance to anything in my music library.  Perhaps the oddest inclusion lies in the three minute instrumental intermission, “Soap Opera.”  Almost entirely piano driven, the track matches its moniker, and could perhaps serve as an opening theme to a psychological thriller set in a 1930’s manor house.  Heck, it’s cinematic feel could probably fit snuggly somewhere in an episode of Downton Abbey.  

What Once Was Is By And Gone is an unexpected listen.  It’s one of those Fat Wreck Chords releases that you might have a hard time envisioning Fat Mike blasting in his decked out van.  But that shouldn’t shy Koski’s core fanbase from taking note.  Darius Koski has really put himself out there in a unique and unconventional way, and for the most part, it works.  While a few tracks, like the hazy washed out take on 60’s psychedelia ”Imitation Tala,” are less memorable, the album is a respectable grower that reveals subtle nuances with each passing listen.  Given that Swingin’ Utters fans are probably at a place in their life where they will accept these curiosities, What Once Was Is By And Gone is an album that Koski’s fans may have not known they were waiting for.  So go ahead, take the plunge, your curiosity will be rewarded.