The Lunar Laugh “Mama’s Boy”
The Lunar Laugh combine elements of power pop and folk rock with their signature harmonies on their much anticipated second album, Mama’s Boy. The Oklahoma City-based trio is lead by the singer/songwriter duo of Connor Anderson and Jared Lekites, assisted by Campbell Young. The title track opens with a catchy chorus about “just another kid from the suburbs” growing up without a father.
The layered folk guitars and harmonies on “Sticks and Stones” are the main stylistic sounds here, but you do get great catchy singles like the jangling “Work In Progress,” which we heard a few months ago. My favorite here “She Gets Stoned” is a modern update to a classic story about a sister that needs to “erase a worried mind.” This song will definitely get those feet tapping. Memorable tracks include “Living A Lie” that has a distinct Harry Nilsson influence with a sweet guitar break and “Take A Little Time” layers strings on top of an epic melody. The entire album stands up well to repeat listens and makes this one Highly Recommended.
Fancey ”Love Mirage”
Todd Fancey (The New Pornographers) shows us his retro-influenced love on his third LP. This album is rooted in 70’s AM pop, and the cheery opener “Baby Sunshine” evokes The Cowsills, The Free Design and similar bands, but after that it’s time to put on your boogie shoes. Vocalists Angela Kelman and Olivia Maye provide harmonies and songs like “Dream All Night” and “Witch Attack!” evoke that early disco era, without any distinct lead vocal. The album is recorded with vintage instrumentation, no computerized loops or modern synths.
For some this nostalgic exercise will be a fun change of pace from today’s over-produced pop factory. And it is, to a point. Unfortunately, the era Fancey picked to emulate is not known for memorable songwriting (until The Bee Gees or Earth, Wind and Fire came along). And it falls into the same trap as those original artists back then (like Yvonne Elliman, Andrea True, and Silver Convention) sounding contrived and very “white bread.” If you like that — good for you. But for me, it’s like finely produced elevator music.
