Ladder Prince

Very DIY indie pop rock from a local singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Rich Ajlouney (pronounced AHJ loan ee) is a long-time high school teacher in San Jose. This is the 11th studio album or EP he’s recorded since the early 90s. It’s got an intentionally self-produced, recorded-at-home feeling. The tracks recall music from the 60s and early 70s, with styles ranging from Brit-influenced pop and folk rock to a hint of psychedelic rock. Arrangements feature piano and guitar with some synth orchestration. Unvarnished, down-to-earth vocals throughout. RIYL: the Pixies, David Bowie, the Beatles, Kinks and Bob Dylan.
— Francis

Recommended: 1, 2, 4, 3, 6, 7. No FCCs noted.

1. (3:49) Run Away With Me — Mid-tempo. Energetic pop with a repetitive plinking piano, synth strings and reverbed, harmonized lead vocals. Some nice call-and-response elements. Reinforces the DIY vibe of the entire set. ****
2. (3:41) Flying On That Plane — Very David Bowie-like. Guitar-driven but wrapped with rich sampled horns. Tumbling drums at times. ****
3. (3:25) Help Me Go To Sleep — Bright, strummy acoustic folk. No rhythm track. Smooth, gentle harmonized vocals. Reminiscent of the Beatles’ white album period. ****
4. (3:15) Fairytale — Pays homage to 60s folk rock coming out of the canyons in L.A. Chime-y piano and acoustic guitar. Recalls Dylan’s “All I Really Want To Do,” as performed by the Byrds and/or Cher. ****
5. (3:04) Under The Sun — Meandering psych rock with spacey effects and slightly drone-y vocals.
6. (3:14) And I Love You — Measured, melodic rock ballad with filtered vocals over throaty guitars in the choruses. ***
7. (6:58) Dislodger — Intriguing anthem. Starts with lovely, picked guitar, but then layers in synth, organ and guitar effects. Disarming vocals harking back to the Kinks of the late 60s. ***
8. (2:55) No Plans — Down-tempo rock swagger — with tasty, reverbed guitars and piano.
9. (3:32) She’s A Lady — Piano-based love song. Sad, emotive vocals about a chance meeting with a woman after a breakup. Some uplifting synth orchestration in the choruses.
10. (2:23) Now What — Throwback to simple 60s pop rock, with a piano-led melody and trombones or tuba in counterpoint.
11. (3:01) Forever Blue — Spare and melodic. Vulnerable vocals backed by simple acoustic guitar.