In Ear Park

Pop that’s twisted folded spindled and manipulated using hands that were plowing Americana folk fields while listening to the Beatles and T Rex on an iPod. I think it’s the restrained vocals that make this, with a slight Marc Bolan (T Rex) vibrato, despite the music just being so perfect: mixing mostly acoustic sources but coming across big and electric, despite no ringing of cymbals (is that it?). Really, not many contemporary artists to compare this to because its so hip (Antony and the Johnsons are as hip, but don’t sound like this per se). So I’ll mention the genius of Marc Bolan again, maybe Syd Barrett, Alex Chilton. Just about as good as it gets and can still be called “pop”. I dare Mike Howes to not like this.

1) guitar arpeggio (think flamenco) with slowly phrased vocals, some cello, beautiful, toward falls into a drunken waltzy full band
2) swingy pop, like T Rex a bit more restrained, less glammy but still happy, almost drinking music, ends cold
3) a bit folkier and somber with the gut guitar taking foreground
4) upbeat rock with a new-psyche folk feel, maybe its just the vocals
5) this has some super cool instrumentation, is it acoustic or electric, its upbeat and just lovely, with a great beat
6) another upbeat melodic
7) chill and slow phrased, then goes back and forth with piano beat
8) epic pop, sounding 70’s like ELO or something
9) brief, kinda low fi, piano with subtle noises, vocalizations
10) slower mindful song with brushed drums
11) lush guitar arpeggios with soaring distant vocals, banjo, subtle and cool