Golden Suits
Reviews
Francis D
Reviewed 2013-10-18
Reviewed 2013-10-18
“Golden Suits” Golden Suits
Golden Suits is the solo project of Fred Nicolaus, half of the band Department of Eagles. The collection was created coming out of a terrible year for Nicolaus — in which he had a bad breakup, lost his Brooklyn apartment, had to cope with his grandfather’s death, and dropped 40 pounds. The 10-song offering is quirky, comfortable folk-pop in the same vein as Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, and some of Paul Simon’s, Paul McCartney’s or John Lennon’s offerings. The songs take a while to grow on you, but then you’ll find yourself humming one. It’s definitely NOT packaged or perfect — with the vocals a bit on the pitchy side — but everything has been created with true care and craftsmanship. Very nice listen!
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 3, 10, 6, 5, 9. No FCCs detected.
1. (5:47) Swimming in ‘99 — Catchy tune builds to richly orchestrated pop gem. Soaring vocals. Handclaps. Very strong first single. ****
2. (3:55) Under Your Wing — Leisurely stroll with your love. Clacky percussion, prominent piano and strings. Nice harmonizing in chorus.
3. (5:40) I Think You Would Have Been Mine — More of an indie rock sound to this — but still backed by a full orchestra. Pulsing bass, electric guitar and thumping drums. Big sound. **
4. (4:35) You Can’t Make Your Mind Up — Swelling strings and an adult middle-of-the-road sound that morphs into indie rock with a growling rock foundation.
5. (3:33) Restaurant Song — Slow-tempo, sparse piano ballad. Almost toy piano-like in the beginning. Plainly sung and simply arranged.
6. (4:04) Didn’t I Warn You — Starts as a simple tune with a march-like rhythm. Builds into a disarming folk-pop standard with warm, welcoming vocals and uplifting swells of orchestration. ***
7. (4:21) Wash It Away — Handclapping and tom-toms. Piano and guitar. Another easy-going melody.
8. (4:39) Find a Way — Swaying composition like it’s trying to keep its balance. Slightly discordant guitar. John Lennon would be perfect on this.
9. (2:37) Little One — Extremely slow tempo, old-fashioned construction and 1920s or 1930s-sounding vocals. “Then we swam through gin one evening, and all the world was right.” Would be perfect pressed on 78 RPM vinyl. **
10. (4:46) Dearly Beloved — Plucked bass and jittery rhythm. Floating strings with charmingly delivered lead vocals and airy harmonies. ***
Golden Suits is the solo project of Fred Nicolaus, half of the band Department of Eagles. The collection was created coming out of a terrible year for Nicolaus — in which he had a bad breakup, lost his Brooklyn apartment, had to cope with his grandfather’s death, and dropped 40 pounds. The 10-song offering is quirky, comfortable folk-pop in the same vein as Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, and some of Paul Simon’s, Paul McCartney’s or John Lennon’s offerings. The songs take a while to grow on you, but then you’ll find yourself humming one. It’s definitely NOT packaged or perfect — with the vocals a bit on the pitchy side — but everything has been created with true care and craftsmanship. Very nice listen!
— Francis
Recommended: 1, 3, 10, 6, 5, 9. No FCCs detected.
1. (5:47) Swimming in ‘99 — Catchy tune builds to richly orchestrated pop gem. Soaring vocals. Handclaps. Very strong first single. ****
2. (3:55) Under Your Wing — Leisurely stroll with your love. Clacky percussion, prominent piano and strings. Nice harmonizing in chorus.
3. (5:40) I Think You Would Have Been Mine — More of an indie rock sound to this — but still backed by a full orchestra. Pulsing bass, electric guitar and thumping drums. Big sound. **
4. (4:35) You Can’t Make Your Mind Up — Swelling strings and an adult middle-of-the-road sound that morphs into indie rock with a growling rock foundation.
5. (3:33) Restaurant Song — Slow-tempo, sparse piano ballad. Almost toy piano-like in the beginning. Plainly sung and simply arranged.
6. (4:04) Didn’t I Warn You — Starts as a simple tune with a march-like rhythm. Builds into a disarming folk-pop standard with warm, welcoming vocals and uplifting swells of orchestration. ***
7. (4:21) Wash It Away — Handclapping and tom-toms. Piano and guitar. Another easy-going melody.
8. (4:39) Find a Way — Swaying composition like it’s trying to keep its balance. Slightly discordant guitar. John Lennon would be perfect on this.
9. (2:37) Little One — Extremely slow tempo, old-fashioned construction and 1920s or 1930s-sounding vocals. “Then we swam through gin one evening, and all the world was right.” Would be perfect pressed on 78 RPM vinyl. **
10. (4:46) Dearly Beloved — Plucked bass and jittery rhythm. Floating strings with charmingly delivered lead vocals and airy harmonies. ***
Recent airplay
Swimming In '99
KZSU Time Traveler — Aug 25, 2023
Swimming In '99
KZSU Time Traveler — Oct 21, 2022
Swimming In '99
KZSU Time Traveler — Aug 06, 2021
Swimming In '99
KZSU Time Traveler — Dec 29, 2017
Swimming In '99
KZSU Time Traveler — Feb 24, 2017
Swimming In '99
Time Traveler — Mar 04, 2016
Charting
2013-10-24 — 2013-12-26
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Dec 22 | 1 |
| Dec 8 | 1 |
| Dec 1 | 1 |
| Nov 24 | 2 |
| Nov 17 | 1 |
| Nov 10 | 2 |
| Nov 3 | 1 |
| Oct 27 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Swimming In '99 | ||
| 2. | Under Your Wing | ||
| 3. | I Think You Would Have Been Mine | ||
| 4. | You Can't Make Your Mind Up | ||
| 5. | Restaurant Song | ||
| 6. | Didn't I Warn You | ||
| 7. | Wash It Away | ||
| 8. | Find A Way | ||
| 9. | Little One | ||
| 10. | Dearly Beloved |