A Look At What Is New In Music
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The biggest flaw of Coconut Records’ (the recording moniker for actor Jason Schwartzman) 2007 debut Nighttiming was balance. While the album had undisputable pop gems – the title track, “West Coast” – as a whole the project seemed uneven. It was filled in with quirky under-produced tracks that seemed like demos and decent ideas – not songs. Nighttiming might have been an exceptional EP – but as a full-length representation of an artist looking to re-invent himself (Schwartzman was at one time the drummer for power-pop group Phantom Planet) it fell disappointingly short.
Davy, Coconut Records’ follow-up, attempts to turn the underwhelming aspects of Nighttiming into a trademarked sound. While weird time changes and production choices came off as jarring and ill-advised on Nighttiming, Davy manages to push these same types of musical mechanisms from unsettling to expected. At moments, it conjures Brian Wilson - tracks like “Wandering Around” and “Wires” have definite deep-cut Beach Boys flare. “The Summer” lets a catchy chorus become an understatement amid structural experimentation.
If nothing else, Davy works better as a full representation of the artist by remaining somewhat consistent – even in its inconsistencies. Coconut Records has established itself as the outfit that is tinkering under the hood of the California pop tradition. Big things might still be on the way…
Davy, Coconut Records’ follow-up, attempts to turn the underwhelming aspects of Nighttiming into a trademarked sound. While weird time changes and production choices came off as jarring and ill-advised on Nighttiming, Davy manages to push these same types of musical mechanisms from unsettling to expected. At moments, it conjures Brian Wilson - tracks like “Wandering Around” and “Wires” have definite deep-cut Beach Boys flare. “The Summer” lets a catchy chorus become an understatement amid structural experimentation.
If nothing else, Davy works better as a full representation of the artist by remaining somewhat consistent – even in its inconsistencies. Coconut Records has established itself as the outfit that is tinkering under the hood of the California pop tradition. Big things might still be on the way…
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