UniversalDice’s Misfit Memoirs is a slow-burning confessional wrapped in layers of classic rock, indie spirit, and raw storytelling. Helmed by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Gerry Dantone, this record doesn’t try to fit neatly into any particular category, and that’s exactly what makes it compelling. It’s a deep dive into love, loss, regret, and redemption, packaged with an emotional weight that lingers long after the final note fades.
Opening with “My Heart is in Your Hands,” Dantone sets the stage with a love song that starts simple but crescendos into a triumphant three-guitar solo, a bold statement that immediately declares UniversalDice’s commitment to emotion over convention. There’s no rush to reach the climax—the song builds, breathing with an intensity that feels lived-in and authentic.
Then there’s “Once Upon a Time,” a track that leans into storytelling with an almost Springsteen-like intimacy. Dantone isn’t spinning abstract poetry—he’s telling true stories, inviting you into moments that feel at once personal and universal. That ability to make the listener feel like they’re eavesdropping on something real is one of the album’s greatest strengths.
But Misfit Memoirs isn’t just a collection of heart-on-sleeve ballads. “Kiss Me” veers into sonic experimentation, featuring piano lines from Vin Crici and swirling reverse guitar effects that give the track a dreamlike, untethered feel. It’s a love song, but not the kind that fades into the background. It demands attention.
The real emotional gut punch begins with “I’m Not Me Anymore,” kicking off a section that pulls apart the messiness of identity, family, and self-worth. “Curse” dives into parent-child dynamics with an unflinching honesty, and “I Hate You”—with its brutally simple lyric, “’cause you hate me”—cuts through the usual posturing of rock breakup anthems and delivers something far more unfiltered.
Even with all its introspection, Misfit Memoirs knows when to let loose. “Delectable” brings an unexpected lightness, partly because of its surreal origin story—Dantone credits Paul McCartney himself (via a dream) for its inception. Whether you buy into that backstory or not, the track brims with a playful energy that makes it one of the album’s most infectious moments.
By the time “Slip Away” and “Forgot to Say” close things out, there’s a feeling of finality, not just in the literal sense but in the emotional arc that Misfit Memoirs has taken us through. It’s a reminder that UniversalDice isn’t here to chase trends or play into easy genre labels. Instead, they’re crafting something uniquely their own—an album that’s equal parts rock, storytelling, and catharsis. Misfit Memoirs doesn’t ask for passive listening; it pulls you in, makes you feel, and doesn’t let go.
Heather Savage