Reviews
On Rhyme in the Wreckage
“Foundationally a book of moving poetry set to music . . . . Darius is a deeply philosophical songwriter.” “How is it a Hummingbird” . . . is an astounding philosophical consideration of the complexity of nature contrasted to the occasional bumbling of the human mind. [The Premonition is] “sweet, cheeky and brilliant.” “ . . . lines that somehow express the magic effortlessly.” “You might think of poetry as impenetrable, but don’t. Darius Degher shows the easygoing delight that shines through quality poetry as well as quality songwriting, there’s nothing obscure here at all. The album is as thought-provoking as it is light and accessible, and that’s quite an accomplishment.” “Songs that spring like phoenixes reborn from the ashes of modern wreckages.”-- Elise Cady, Americana Highways, August 6, 2025
“Degher truly is a master tunesmith, and what strikes me as so significant is that while so many other songwriters lose their touch with time, he’s still turning out great songs that drop in on your ear and then refuse to leave.” “The record came out August 8. Three days later, I’m still listening to it. Hell, even when I’m not listening to it, I’m hearing it in my head. Yeah. His stuff is that good.” -- Thomas K Arnold, San Diego Troubadour, Sept. 2025
On Open Question to the Sky and Eleven Story Strum
“ “A master tunesmith.” . . . a masterpiece, loaded with searing metaphors on par with the brilliance of the early Bob Dylan recordings.” – Wayne Ryker, San Diego Troubadour
“If it weren’t for the fact that he’s [several albums] into a career, I’m sure there’d be a call to label him the next Bob Dylan.” -- Leicester Bangs Music Blog
A “master of the lyrical craft.” – Frank Kocher, San Diego Troubadour
From reviews of Cardboard Confessional and Garage Sale of the Soul
On Cardboard Confessional and Garage Sale of the Soul
“More down to the ground than even Dylan achieved in his talking blues days . . . Darius is a fresh new breed of folkie, proud of but not stuck on tradition.” Kurt Wolf, San Francisco Bay Guardian
”Every once in a while an album comes along with lyrics so wondrous, so vital, that they should be scripted on parchment, bound in fine leather and handed out . . . Darius -- songwriter or poet?” Robert J. Hawkins, San Diego Union Tribune
”Hearing Hollywood’s poet laureate in concert is always a treat . . . his lyrical abilities are still unsurpassed.” Rich Robinson, Los Angeles Reader”
”Cardboard Confessional is a veritable cornucopia of bright, lyrical wit and intelligently crafted songs . . . Darius is a unique talent.” Richard Foss, L.A. Reader and Bam Magazine
”Five fingers” (highest rating) “ . . . a breath of fresh air in a sea of smog. An LP that would surely ‘hit’ if less of us were so into the ‘me’ generation, though it still might.” In Concert Magazine
Bam Magazine called him “a master travelogue storyteller in the tradition of Woody Guthrie.”
Darius is “one of the founding fathers of the burgeoning Los Angeles acoustic-rock movement.” Thomas K. Arnold, L.A. Times