Todd Fancey, guitarist for the New Pornographers puts together his second album using finely crafted orchestration to recreate a soft 70’s pop sound, that rivals the music of Chilliwack, Poco, or Ozark Mountain Devils. With Sean Ashby (review below) helping out and a huge list of others (including a member of the Cowsills on vocals) when you listen to “Schmancey” you are in a total time warp back to 1973. The opener “Witches Night” is a cool Chilliwack-type of tune with nice organ touches and guitars. But we haven’t totally left the new century behind and the next song, “Lost in Twilight” sounds like a great lost Zumpano tune. The vocal harmonies are stunning with Anastasia Siozos voice floating around Todd’s melody like a pillowy cloud. Another great song “Gulf Breeze” continues this pop bliss. Then it’s back to the nostalgic “Blue Star” and then “Fader” brings to mind some classic Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds tune set to the most bizarre lyrics I’ve heard, in other words: an instant classic! In fact most of the lyrics on the album don’t really match much of the songs tone. But if you turn your brain off through half of it – you won’t be thrown by lines like: “This afternoon it feels like dawn/ Butterfly I’m writin’ on/ It’s too late you’re gone.” The remaining album rambles along with excellent tracks like “Heaven’s Way” that play up the Cowsills sunshine pop card. No filler either, as even the horn-filled ballad “Let the Breeze In” is so smooth, you forget that aimless melodies lead nowhere. The whole album goes down like a Pina Colada; Sweet and fruity with a nutty aftertaste. It’s a wonderful diversion that most nostalgic music lovers will enjoy.
Fancey’s site | My Space | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame
Listen to “Gulf Breeze”
Listen to “Lost in Twilight”