European, The

Kramies is a one-man show: an indie/folky singer-songwriter-guitarist with synthesizer. Imagine Donovan sitting in with an 80s synth-pop group. The style here is unusual and interesting: the guitar generally just a strummed acoustic, but the backing keyboard work is rich and orchestral. The guy can sing pretty well too.

No FCC issues.

1 Slow & hypnotic. Vocal is a short, repeated chorus, sung in a trance like mood. In the background, an electronic tone and static. Track ends with these noises fading out. (2:20)

2 * Mid slow. Pop. Good multi-layered male vocal. Simple guitar strumming, but big soaring synthesizers, including both a synth’d string section and an organ tone. (5:25)

3 ** Mid to quick 6/8. Pretty good folk-pop song. Melody is nice; lyrics a bit hard to make out. Synth has a bell-like tone. (3:15)

4 *** Up-tempo & catchy. A happy spirit to it, but also a dreamy & foggy sound quality. A lot going on: syncopated drum machine, a piano for the first time, big soaring synths. By far the most interesting song on the record, a positive lyric, definitely the best vox. (4:15)

5 maybe * Very slow. Again a mix of strumming guitar & space-age synths. A pleasant feeling haze, but a bit tedious. (4:08)