Anthonie Tonnon’s debut album, Successor, is a noteworthy recording filled with amusing, observational lyrics about unnamed characters living in big cities and sung with stylish comfort. The music, a cross between late 1980’s modern rock crooners like Robyn Hitchcock or Billy Bragg and mid 1990’s alternative rock, never goes overboard in production and execution, keeping his vocals and lyrics as the emphasis of the album. Incisive 21st century songwriting from this Auckland, New Zealand performer.

RIYL: Robyn Hitchcock, Jens Lekman, Grand Lee Buffalo, Sufjan Stevens, and Lou Reed’s New York.

FCC WARNING: 7
Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 (FCC)

1. (5:06) *Railway Lines – Continuous mid-tempo, synth-based track with stylish guitar arrangements and vocals.
2. (4:10) **Bird Brains – Catchy upbeat track with a mid-nineties alternative feeling.
3. (5:54) Sugar In The Petrol Tank – Guitar-driven slow tune. Billy Bragg would be proud.
4. (3:54) **The Songs Of Your Youth – Another slow track, piano driven. Interesting and with a great ending – children chorus meets The Beach Boys reference.
5. (5:36) Water Underground – Upbeat tune with mid 1990’s alternative rock energy circulating all over it.
6. (5:22) *A Friend From Argentina – Slow piece with just guitar and echoed vocals. Musicalized short story.
7. (3:54) **Mt. Cargill – FCC (shit). Well constructed, mid-tempo pop tune with a great guitar riff and a dense story as plot.
8. (4:08) The Capital – Soft intro with just vocals, minimalist guitar work, and some piano parts.
9. (3:51) Dumpster Diving – Slow, just vocals and guitar. Awesome lyrics.