Temescal Telegraph
General
| Apr 2020
Reviews
Francis D
Reviewed 2020-07-18
Reviewed 2020-07-18
“Temescal Telegraph” The Corner Laughers
Intelligent, uplifting indie pop. This is the fifth album from the local band (with Stanford and Palo Alto connections). Label Big Stir describes their music as a combination of English folk-psych (Kinks) and California sunshine pop — with a dash of alt-country twang at times. Lead singer-songwriter, Karla Kane (ukulele) is joined by husband, Khoi Huynh (piano, bass, guitars, backing vocals), KC Bowman (lead guitar, bass, keys, backing vocals), and Charlie Crabtree (drums). Kane’s lyrics are full of wit and whimsy, with captivating melodies and an optimism that flows from even her most down-to-earth examinations of the real-world problems we sometimes face.
— Francis
Highly recommended: 3, 8, 4, 9, 1, 2, 10, 7. No FCCs.
1. (2:52) The Calculating Boy — Carefree, fun opener. Dance-y with a stop-and-go, tango-like rhythm. Castanets! ***
2. (2:35) Changeling — Honky-tonk vibe with some great piano, organ and a lead break reminiscent of 60s rock ‘n’ roll. ***
3. (3:17) The Accepted Time — Lead single. A tune for our times. Melodic, with a dose of melancholy. Ukulele, organ. Sentimental, wise vocals. Guitar solo in the lead break. ****
4. (2:43) The Lilac Line — Light and playful. Prominent ukulele. Lilting lead vocals. Cover of a tune from Kane’s solo album. Great bass line. Rhythm and guitar riffs nicely fill out the track. ****
5. (3:59) Loma Alta — Dreamy, swaying and tuneful — with multiple overlaid vocals, almost like rounds. Lively, somewhat jazzy piano. Kane and Huynh’s young daughter makes her debut with a contribution on keyboards.
6. (2:44) Sisters Of The Pollen — Propulsive pop rock. A song dedicated to environmental causes, such as the need to keep our bee population healthy.
7. (3:32) Wren In The Rain — Wistful and uplifting. Simple pop melody — very 1970s — with strummed ukulele, jangly electric guitar and nice clang-y cymbal. **
8. (4:10) Goodguy Sun — Easygoing pop stroll featuring Kane’s ukulele, drum triplets and lilting piano melody. Cover of another release from Kane’s debut solo album. Written by English songwriter, poet and author, Martin Newell (Cleaners from Venus). ****
9. (4:09) Skylarks Of Britain — Lovely acoustic guitar and piano tune. Feels like a throwback to a proper classical minuet — with chimey guitar, piano and orchestra. Builds to electric guitar and drum solos. ****
10. (3:56) Lord Richard — Bright piano folk-rock ballad. Deliberate tempo. Harmonized vocals, with big harmonies in the chorus. Almost church-like. Throaty guitar solo in lead break. ***
Intelligent, uplifting indie pop. This is the fifth album from the local band (with Stanford and Palo Alto connections). Label Big Stir describes their music as a combination of English folk-psych (Kinks) and California sunshine pop — with a dash of alt-country twang at times. Lead singer-songwriter, Karla Kane (ukulele) is joined by husband, Khoi Huynh (piano, bass, guitars, backing vocals), KC Bowman (lead guitar, bass, keys, backing vocals), and Charlie Crabtree (drums). Kane’s lyrics are full of wit and whimsy, with captivating melodies and an optimism that flows from even her most down-to-earth examinations of the real-world problems we sometimes face.
— Francis
Highly recommended: 3, 8, 4, 9, 1, 2, 10, 7. No FCCs.
1. (2:52) The Calculating Boy — Carefree, fun opener. Dance-y with a stop-and-go, tango-like rhythm. Castanets! ***
2. (2:35) Changeling — Honky-tonk vibe with some great piano, organ and a lead break reminiscent of 60s rock ‘n’ roll. ***
3. (3:17) The Accepted Time — Lead single. A tune for our times. Melodic, with a dose of melancholy. Ukulele, organ. Sentimental, wise vocals. Guitar solo in the lead break. ****
4. (2:43) The Lilac Line — Light and playful. Prominent ukulele. Lilting lead vocals. Cover of a tune from Kane’s solo album. Great bass line. Rhythm and guitar riffs nicely fill out the track. ****
5. (3:59) Loma Alta — Dreamy, swaying and tuneful — with multiple overlaid vocals, almost like rounds. Lively, somewhat jazzy piano. Kane and Huynh’s young daughter makes her debut with a contribution on keyboards.
6. (2:44) Sisters Of The Pollen — Propulsive pop rock. A song dedicated to environmental causes, such as the need to keep our bee population healthy.
7. (3:32) Wren In The Rain — Wistful and uplifting. Simple pop melody — very 1970s — with strummed ukulele, jangly electric guitar and nice clang-y cymbal. **
8. (4:10) Goodguy Sun — Easygoing pop stroll featuring Kane’s ukulele, drum triplets and lilting piano melody. Cover of another release from Kane’s debut solo album. Written by English songwriter, poet and author, Martin Newell (Cleaners from Venus). ****
9. (4:09) Skylarks Of Britain — Lovely acoustic guitar and piano tune. Feels like a throwback to a proper classical minuet — with chimey guitar, piano and orchestra. Builds to electric guitar and drum solos. ****
10. (3:56) Lord Richard — Bright piano folk-rock ballad. Deliberate tempo. Harmonized vocals, with big harmonies in the chorus. Almost church-like. Throaty guitar solo in lead break. ***
Recent airplay
The Accepted Time
KZSU Time Traveler — Nov 01, 2024
The Accepted Time
KZSU Time Traveler — Jan 06, 2023
The Accepted Time
KZSU Time Traveler — Jan 28, 2022
The Calculating Boy
KZSU Time Traveler — Aug 20, 2021
Goodguy Sun
KZSU Time Traveler (rebroadcast from Jul 17, 2020) — Jul 16, 2021
The Calculating Boy
KZSU Time Traveler — Mar 26, 2021
Track listing
| 1. | The Calculating Boy | ||
| 2. | Changeling | ||
| 3. | The Accepted Time | ||
| 4. | The Lilac Line | ||
| 5. | Loma Alta | ||
| 6. | Sisters Of The Pollen | ||
| 7. | Wren In The Rain | ||
| 8. | Goodguy Sun | ||
| 9. | Skylarks Of Britain | ||
| 10. | Lord Richard |