Combining cheap keyboard fuzz and sparkle with down home folk guitar, Jeff Suri (aka The Oculist) creates melancholy orchestrations that musically strive to bring hope to the hopeless and tone to the toneless. It starts with a wonderfully spacey opening on “Hold On” and “The Plan” that instantly brings to mind Beach Boys “Smiley Smile,” The Beta Band and Radiohead’s sonic textures, with low horns and high percussion. “Principles” has a monologue over an obscure instrumental, and will test your resolve, as it’s either weird poetry or performance art. However, if you pay attention it’s a fine Zappa-styled commentary on public loneliness. “Break The Bank” is a relaxing mantra in the mold of Pink Floyd’s psychedelic peak. “Chlorine In My Eyes” is another soothing song driven by electronic beeps and a strong drum track, and really grows on you. The melody is buried just below the surface and it’s very impressive. Fans of more recent High Llamas and Pedro The Lion will also enjoy this for sure. The album ends with patter of water and the fine synth keyboard work of “Buckets Of Saddness” and then an instrumental reprise. The album’s theme addresses common but poorly understood human conditions. It’s most definitely a “headphones” type of album that you can get lost in easily.
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