“Natural Causes” Anton Barbeau
Shimmering collection of intelligent psyche-pop, art rock and quirkiness. Sacramento-born, now Berlin-based Barbeau is an exceptionally creative and prolific artist who explores the boundaries of musical inventiveness. Nice mix of jangle rock, throwback psychedelic rock, and prog rock — with the added richness of Mellotron and analog synthesizers. Barbeau has assembled a fine group of guest musicians including Robbie McIntosh (Pretenders, Paul McCartney), Nick Saloman and Ade Shaw of the Bevis Frond, Michael Urbano (Todd Rundgren, Neil Finn), Andy Metcalfe (Robyn Hitchcock), and local favorites, Karla Kane and Khoi Huynh.
— Francis

Recommended: 14, 2, 7, 11, 12, 10, 5, 9. No FCCs noted.

1. (0:17) (Preamble) — Short, stately, tongue-in-cheek intro.
2. (3:29) Magazine Street — Big, bright, energetic, strummy pop-rock. Refresh of a tune Barbeau first recorded 23 albums ago. ****
3. (3:57) It’s the Coffee That Makes the Man Go Mad — Off-kilter, syncopated tune with a strange time signature (something like 12/5?) that blames coffee for madness. Cool “Ommm” chant in lead break.
4. (0:12) (Preambiguation) — Short bridge to song #5.
5. (4:11) Disambiguation — Driving rock song about a word few of us know or use — perhaps also an anthem to veganism. **
6. (3:44) Secretion of the Wafer — Mysterious psyche-rock. Sustained synth chords.
7. (2:59) Magic Sandwiches — Guitar noise at start. Beatles-like psyche-rock reminiscent of “I Am the Walrus.” Anthemic, with Barbeau’s laid-back vocals and edgy guitar in lead break. ***
8. (4:37) Summer of Gold — Slower, swingy and swaying. Jangly guitar. Smooth vocals.
9. (4:10) Just Passing By — Bigger rock. Soaring, fuzzy guitar solo. Swelling Mellotron and backing vocals, with driving guitar solo to trail-out. **
10. (1:54) Neck Pillow — Jangly ditty to a neck pillow. Duet with Karla Kane of Redwood City’s The Corner Laughers. ***
11. (3:57) Creepy Tray — Synth-based tune with 12-string guitar and a great bass line. ***
12. (2:28) Mumble Something — Interplay between jangle and fuzz, woven together into a melodic pop-rock tune. ***
13. (0:24) (Penultimate Outro) — Piano and synth bridge.
14. (4:24) Down Around the Radio — Fun art-rock number with circular construction featuring piano and 12-string. Catchy! ****
15. (0:25) (Ultimate Outro) — Brief synth bursts, with a voice saying, “Bye now.”