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POPOLOGY 101


Posted by Hartley On May 29, 2008

Class In Session:

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NO THAT ISN'T GANDHAR!

Anyways. So there's this West Coast dude named Devon Williams. He plays guitar for LA folksters, Lavender Diamond, and when he's not doing that he writes some killer, really killer, pop tunes. After listening to Devon's awesome new record which may be called Carefree (as it says on the cover) or Careerfree (as it says on the CD spine) (thanks Ba Da Bing!), I'm inclined to think that Devon should teach a class in how to sound like any of your favorite musical heros from pop music's past. Truly. I can't really tell you what Devon Williams really sounds like, because depending on the tune he freaking sounds like everybody. It's awesome. Well, I think it's awesome, but i'm sure it's gonna be somewhat of a gift and a curse for Williams - who's widespread ADD-tastic talents have lead him to create the best song for song pop record I've heard in a long time, but also the least easy to pin down in a press release.  To combat this, cause I really beleive in this Devon Williams record, here's a track by track break-down so our boy doesn't get lost in the shuffle!

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(SORRY ABOUT THIS JPEG...but y'know, you get the picture. Literally.)

"Please Be Patient" = Eric Mathews or Eric Carmen. The Raspberries reinvented as a string-quartet-laden chamber pop band.

"Honey" = outtake from Big Star Live. Totally

"Elevator" = um, Jon Brion anyone?

"Fragile Weapon" = this is such an awesome 80's-like ballad - very much like something Thomas Dolby did with Prefab Sprout.

"Stephanie City" = The Shins!

"One and One" = oh my this giddy song is like some great lost There's Nothing Wrong With Love Built To Spill B-side.  

"A Truce" = cause what would any pop record be without a song that sounds like The Zombies?

"Jolie" = like a mid-70's, lite-radio, Emmit Rhodes love song.

"Bells" = best late-period Raplacements jam ever. Check out that guitar tone!

"How Could I Not" = why does this song remind me so much of The Go-Betweens? Shoegazing 80's New Zealand pop ballad.

"A Day In The Night" = This is what I wished The Strokes sounded like.

And here's "Fragile Weapon" off of "Carefree" or "Careerfree" new on Ba Da Bing: 

 

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