Walking Without Effort/The Nov

Excellent singer/songwriter, sounds like Nilsson yeah! Well produced pop, guitar or piano based tracks with plenty of other instruments- about six people in his band. Two 'records', two discs- artist goes thru great effort to seem like he's from vinyl days but, no, this is post-y2k. Great pleasant overall sound with plenty of little changes to keep you interested. Just about every track swell.

The Novelist (I prefer this disc)
1.intro, warbly victrola turns to dreamy lullabye instrumental & happy bit at end.
2. beatbox, swaying music and modulations, gets lusher. Proposing to Lady Day.
3.Klezmer sounds and marching snare, a touch of Dixieland, cool harmonizing on some vocals.
4.warm. banjo-like sounds under well-recorded bass, guitar, hammond.
5.delicate music-box beauty of an instrumental bridge track.
6.piano & expressive pretty singing, 3/4 time waltzing
7.continuation of 6, instrumental ending, play together
8.Happy sweet with a tinge of regret. Piano & band. 6/8 time? Starts w/a little of prior track but it's a different song.

Walking Without Effort (sadder)
1.Pretty but forgettable instrumental intro, fades into next track
2.Low energy pop/lite rock. Acoustic guitar + singing joined by electric & handclap beatbox.
3.Love the horns. Depressed. Beck-like ending.
4.Minor key lonley song. strummed guitar, woodblock & vibraphone
5.slow 3/4 time, picks up a little, love song
6.plodding but it has its moments
7.Easy, slow, downer. Chorus' instruments have Beck-like arrangement, but not the voice.
8. just piano & his voice all the way through. minor key. sparse intro, then strong and gentle.
9.Cries out with a full band.