Falling off the Lavender Bridge
This has become one of my go-to albums. I'm
not even sure why I enjoy it so much other than the fact the
guy can write a really good pop tune and can move seamlessly
from genre to genre with every track. Not a thing like his last
band, Test Icicles, this solo
record really shows off more of his song writing chops. Sounding
not completely unlike Kele Okereke from Bloc
Party, his voice is pleasant and even a bit pleading (in
a good way) in parts. The music can run the gamut from Ben
Lee-like singer songwriter stuff to more orchestral, even
proggy, tunes to some more country-ish stuff. I'm excited for
their next album, as this one was really a pleasant surprise,
and one I love to throw on when I'm having one of "those" days.
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Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You.
Much more fleshed out than his first stab
at a solo thing, Devonte Hynes moves even further from his former
group, Test Icicles, into almost
sugary pop territory. There’s a throwback feel to his stuff
that recalls Motown, but also something 80s-ish, but not in
that synth way. I honestly wasn’t that happy with this album
on my first few go ‘rounds, but it’s settled into my brain and
I’ve accepted the fact it is a different album than Falling
off the Lavender Bridge, and he’s moved on from that singer-songwriter
thing and expanded on his sound. The production is super-clean
and his vocals pushed to the front, his lyrics tongue-in-cheek
sappy in a throw back, The Enchantment Under the Sea dance kind
of way. Ms. Hipster walked in during one listening session and
declared it awful, but she didn’t get the full effect of the
thing. Taken just at face value, I could see folks wondering
what the hell was going on with this mopey dude and his schmaltzy
pop music, but when listened to in context this is a guy on
his way to something special-ish. |
Musical Connections:
Test Icicles
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