Gared had a very crappy year. Essentially, his band (PlanesMistakenForStars) broke up, and life dumped him. Bummer! Apparently, all that misery combined with anxiety attacks and excessive drinking make you want to escape your nightmarish existence, so Gared came to Gainesville to "record his solo album". While he was here, he was befriended/rescued by none other than guitar/bass maestro Chad "Malibu" Darby. Along the way, George "Rebel with an O" Rebelo inadvertently got roped into helping write keyboard parts (awesome chimes, man!) and a wee bit of drumming while he was at it. Other supporting players include the illustrious Jon Gaunt, Matt Radick, and Chris Wollard. The resulting album is as bleak as it is depressing. It also features the most blatant Motown/Afghan Whigs bites of Gared's fabulous musical career. To say that there are pop nuggets lurking within this seething document of a life collapsing on itself is an understatement. This is Mr. O'Donnell at his most honest and transparent. Despite it all, "Year One" is a cathartic and genuinely uplifting experience.

FOR FANS OF: Planes Mistaken For Stars, The Afghan Whigs etc