(This review first appeared in issue 60 of Shindig! magazine)
Drag
City CD / LP / Cass
On the first album
released under his own name it's unclear whether the artist formerly
known as White Fence is an idiot savant or enjoying a private joke.
Given the album's title it may well be the latter. Even so that holds
its own charms. With nursery rhyme melodies, stream of consciousness
lyrics and ego-less vocals he presents himself as a potential Syd
Barrett for the cassette generation.
Characterised by
fragmentation and dissolution, this strange, skewed pop is not easy
to like at first but gradually reveals its layers, shifting between
deconstructed post-punk grooves and sentimental lo-fi balladry.
Producer Cate Le Bon has had the task of assembling the song choices
from a mountain of demos, which adds to the sense of detachment.
Salvation comes via
the spiky guitar lines which are worthy of Wire and even Trout
Mask Replica. It makes you wonder what Presley could produce
should he feel more engaged.
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