Album Review: The Dream Syndicate – The Day Before Wine and Roses
Though singer/guitarist Steve Wynn introduces this set to the audience as a set of covers, this KPFK broadcast is balanced between covers (Bob Dylan, Donovan, Buffalo Springfield) and Dream Syndicate tunes. A wiry, distorted, edge-of-mayhem set, it captures the intensity of a Dream Syndicate show of the era, just before their major label debut (1982’s Days of Wine and Roses, hence the title of this release). A few of these tracks appeared previously on the 1992 Tell Me When It’s Over best-of compilation, but the remainder had previously only been issued on vinyl in Germany.
Though the group’s studio debut was an organic document itself (recorded in a single evening), this live show is perhaps an even more faithful documenting of the band’s power. They’re clearly having fun: some sly in-jokes can be found on this live broadcast, including a quick quote of a well-worn U2 riff.
Wynn’s new liner notes make clear the historical importance of the show, and lays bare some of the band’s influences. The Day Before Wine and Roses is another in Omnivore Recordings’ series of fascinating reissue/rescue efforts, and is essential listening for Dream Syndicate fans (especially those who dig their more unhinged live material).
Note: Due to an unusually full schedule last week and this week – you wouldn’t believe me if I told you – my posts will be a bit shorter than typical. Once the dust settles, my normal wordy posting will recommence.
Follow “the_musoscribe” on 
Twitter and get notified
when new features, reviews and essays are published.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.