Pat Thomas - I Ain't Buying It

(This review first appeared in issue #85 of Shindig! magazine.)

On first listen the second solo LP from Cool Ghoul bassist Pat Thomas channels a lineage of quirky Californian eccentricity that runs way back to Brian Wilson and SMiLE. For example 'Are You OK' has a goofy playground melody and comes adorned with bells, whistles, car-horn honks and dog barks. Then there's 'New Star-Ell' which celebrates living within walking distance of a liquor store. The thread of cartoon comedy is even there on the vinyl edition's label, which spoofs the Looney Tunes "That's All Folks" logo.

Deeper listening reveals a more serious intent along with serious musicianship. Much of Thomas' lyrics contain messages about personal freedom and call for fairer distribution of wealth, land and power, best evidenced on the album's tour-de-force closer 'Give The Land To The People'. The music draws from vintage soul, soft sunshine-psych and free jazz and gives persuasive power to the album's underlying alternative manifesto.