There's only a wee bit of press so far, but it'll grow...

Grinning Planet
Review of The Green Anthem Album
Dyniss' own description of his music goes something like this: "quirky power-folk music---sometimes political, sometimes dreamy, sometimes weird." That's fairly apt, but lest you think those three adjectives---political, dreamy, weird---mean this is some sort of sappy hippie music, rest assured that it is not. It's excellent Modern Rock/Indie Pop, throwing in the occasional quirk to make sure we're paying attention. The style is reminiscent at times of bands like The Chills, The Connells, The Posies, and The La's---but Dyniss brings his own fresh, unique spin into the mix. The CD opens with the shimmering "All the People," a hauntingly cool song. "Less than Me (v.2.0)," with its soaring, harmonized vocals could easily be a hit in today's modern musical world (if that world had any sense beyond pre-packaged plastic personalities). "Arms Around Me" and "Paper Page" are bouncy bits of pop music that just feel good to listen to. The title track to "The Green Anthem" fits into both the political and dreamy categories, an excellent presentation of how things could be good in the future. (The song is so good, in fact, that it was Canada's official Y2K Green Party song.) On "Dear Dog," Dyniss offers a clever send-up of XTC's "Dear God." In XTC's masterpiece, the failings of religion are the target, but here the song is more about seeing grace, goodness, and godliness in all things---in particular, the dog. "Naturus Interruptus" makes it's point amusically---can you figure out the message? The Green Anthem presents an excellent blend of message and melody, of pique and pop. It's ironic that justice in the world is one of Dyniss' themes, because the fact that this talented musician is not a big star makes it obvious that the Universe prefers irony to justice. You, however, can pass on the cosmic irony, sit back, and enjoy the excellence of The Green Anthem.
-Mark Jeantheau

Splendid Magazine
Review of The Green Anthem Album
If you don't like The Green Anthem, at least you won't go hungry with it -- instead of the usual paper insert, it comes with pumpkin seeds embedded in the jewel case. You can plant them or eat them outright! In many ways, the seeds tell you almost everything you need to know about the recording. Dyniss is self-described "quirky powerfolk" with a decidedly left-leaning political stance -- not so much "George Bush is a lying motherfucker" politics, but focused more positively on human rights, animal rights and the (Canadian) Green Party's views.
And what about the music? Well, after you wade through the sea of political stuff, you'll find some moderately entertaining, surprisingly vulnerable material. Dyniss's voice is high and sometimes a bit too reedy for the material, but on folk-centric tunes like "Watersnakes", you'll detect a defenselessness that's at least mildly compelling. On the other hand, there are cuts like "Dear Dog" -- a song about the ways dogs help people, similar in presentation to XTC's "Dear God" -- suggesting that Dyniss doesn't take himself too seriously. Unfortunately, The Green Anthem's political/activist stance is pretty indulgent; unless you follow the same causes, you won't find enough of interest here to make you forgo that prime rib dinner.
-Sean Sullivan

 

The Hamilton Spectator
Live show review Friday, August 22, 2003
This show was part of The Hamilton Talent Hunt at Yuk Yuk's
"...Visions of American Idol filled the room... ...And there I was, smack dab in the middle of them, ready to do my best Simon Cowell impression... ...as one of the five judges selected by the event's organizers... ...There was even a brilliant little number called Generaligion written by a contestant known only as Dyniss. It was anti-corporate, pro-environment and very funny."
-Graham Rockingham



The Gate Entertainment Magazine
Review of Electra Brown Album
As I listened to Dyniss I couldn’t help but try and categorize his music into some kind of neat package.
His voice sounds kind of retro, so what about calling it retro-folk-pop? Well, no it isn’t that simple.
Although there are lots of retro elements and acoustic twists to the rhythms there is also a very other-worldly groove to the music. You'll probably find it a little weird, but it is catchy all the same and by the second listen you will want to listen to it a third time. Dyniss is a very New Age kind of performer who doesn’t rely on many of the pop or alternative formats (which makes him much more interesting than everything else I end up reviewing). His style seems much more rooted in the age and beat of The Beatles rather than that of Starling or Limblifter.
Dyniss has lots of funky lyrics and has created a genuinely groove-induced experience that you can sit back and relax to. I would have liked to hear a couple more uplifting songs but other than that the music is amazing and perfectly mastered (another of Dyniss’ talents). Check out the disc, light a few candles, drink some wine and mellow out for the night.
7 out of 10 – W. Andrew Powell



Spill Magazine
Review of Electra Brown Album
Electra Brown is a truly unique recording, and I use the term recording in the truest sense of the word. Dyniss has spent many years experimenting with recording techniques (he is one of the city’s best recording and digital mastering engineers). The focus of the record seems to be in the lyrical content. The first track is eerie in its production value as well the lyrics. “People Are Afraid of Change” is a statement about the general public of our society (and their conservative behaviour which usually equates into some form of hatred or discrimination). Other songs relay sweet stories (“My Aunt and a Guy Named Frank” and “My Guinea Pig”) while the others, for the most part seem to preach positivity (“E is for Everything” and“Generaligion”).
The live horns, [rodents] talking, obscure recording of the drums, and soft vocals (although glaringly in front of the mix), create a unique and pleasant listening experience. This is Dyniss’ first recording. I believe that there will be more interesting and monumental projects to follow!
– Vikas Sharma



Listen.com
Review of Electra Brown Album
Post-emo songs with mellow, slowed down drum loops and dynamically layered sounds. The singer has the kind of voice where you don't know if he's singing or crying sometimes. Imagine if Elliott Smith sang for Portishead if the latter took all their samples from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
– Eric Shea



Ninger.com
Review of Electra Brown Album
Dyniss' music is really hard to categorize - the labels applied to his songs... ...seem to be entirely random and offer no clue to [as to] what they really sound like. His songs seem to vary in style and are both clever and amusing. The best thing about Dyniss is that he doesn't take himself too seriously. "My Aunt and a Guy Named Frank" is a a pop song reminiscent of "Hair", whilst Generaligion sounds a little like Jonathan Richman. "People are Afraid of Change" is a rather haunting, even disturbing song mixing acoustic and ethereal artificial sounds...
- Tanya G Jacobs





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