The Lees Of Memory “Moon Shot”
From the ashes of Superdrag, multi-instrumentalist John Davis, guitarist Brandon Fisher and drummer Nick Slack formed The Lees of Memory. Leaning more on the shoegaze side of the equation, Davis starts with “Lonely Everywhere,” a symbolic anthem of COVID isolation with layers of guitars, sitars, harmonies, and percussion. Very much in the model of Matthew Sweet meets Bob Mould, it’s got a great hook that stays with you.
The heavy guitar crunch is applied perfectly to “Crocodile Tears” a song that feels like a dark cloud floating above you, and “Free and Easy” drifts along like a classic Pink Floyd guitar epic full of blues and resignation. “Drift Into Dream” is another gorgeous composition, with echoing harmonies resting on those dense rhythmic layers. Most of the songs hit the mark, “Live Without” and “The Wheel” is as good as anything Superdrag ever did, although most of the tunes are pretty downbeat. “The Summer Sun” feels like a eulogy to those sunny days on the beach. Davis throws in the kitchen sink on the 4 minute plus finale “Far Beyond” with a funky break obviously inspired by Prince. An excellent album that stands up to repeat listens and grows on you. Highly Recommended and it makes my year-end best-of list.
Brian Bringelson “Desperate Days”
Brian Bringelson, a member of the band Anchor and Bear and a solo artist under the name Paul Starling is back under his own name on Desperate Days. The opener “Losing Train of Thought” is a sweet catchy melody, that sounds much like his early material with slight echoes of early Beach Boys and The Smiths. The jangling guitar of the dream-like title track “Desperate Days” builds with each verse, the vocal harmonies burst through on the chorus.
Bringleson’s music has a very unforced and casual approach, with a Pet Sounds styled production aesthetic, best-exemplified by “Bone Collector,” “The Deep Dark Truth,” and “Rust and Gold.” But my favorite here is “Letting Go Of Arrows,” an epic ballad with smooth echoing harmonies and hooks. Not everything attains this level of greatness, but enough does. This is easily Brian’s most accessible and mature album, it’s definitely highly recommended.
