Anton Barbeau is a cult-hero’s cult hero. He is known for combining surreal lyrics with pop melodies, and is often described as being in the songwriting tradition of Robyn Hitchcock, Syd Barrett, and Julian Cope. He is similar to Todd Rundgren, in that his fan base can get frustrated looking for his greatness, and often getting it in eccentric compositions. His last album, In The Village Of The Apple Sun is a trippy Sgt. Pepper influenced pop pastiche, so this one is closer to his White Album I guess. Opening with the psyche-folk pop of “Bending Like A Spoon”and “Plastic Guitar” kind of recalls The Flaming Lips a little and it features strong repeating choruses and dissonant beats. The theme of this album is mortality, pronounced on songs like “Doctor Take Care” and the ballad “Boat Called Home.” Lots of odd percussion starts many songs, like “Dear Miss” and sometimes it goes to a chorus, or like “Raino Disco” it builds into a looping hypnotic melody. “Quorn Fingers” and Banana Song” have that Lennonesque experimental quality that could fit comfortably behind The Beatles “Revolution #9”. The straight pop tune here “Better Drink Your Water” is pretty accessible and you’ll find yourself clapping along. Be warned it’s not for everyone, and entering the universe of Barbeau is sometimes more about the journey than the result.
