Wooden Spoon
Missing, 2022
9/10
The Seattle singer-songwriter Michael Compton started this record as a bedroom project with homemade drum looping before it turning into a collaboration with Steve Fisk (The Posies, Harvey Danger, Nirvana), bassist Yuuki Matthews (Shins, Crystal Skulls) and drummer Michael Musburger (Posies, Fastbacks).
“Shapes” starts the listen with bright and swirling indie-pop that glides with much warmth and melody, and “Headband” follows with a bit of dreaminess, where Compton’s soaring, expressive pipes are met with intricate drumming and strategic keys.
Elsewhere, “Connect The Dots” thumps a bit firmer amid a cinematic appeal and vivid storytelling, while “When Your Ship Comes In” finds itself in more dense areas of fuzzed out alt-rock.
Arriving near the end, the elegant and stirring “Le Domestique” benefits much from cello and backing vocals from Lori Goldston and Jacquie Dillon, and “Better To Replace” exits the listen and showcases fluid bass lines and a bit of atmosphere that’s a little jangly and a whole lot memorable.
Although he might best be known for his work in the Pacific NW record industry, this is actually Compton’s 20th release on his own label, and it’s as diverse as it is timeless, and is great enough to bring to mind legends like Elliott Smith, Dinosaur Jr. or Built To Spill.
Travels well with: Thomas Comerford- Introverts; Eamon Ra- Meat Bones Chemicals Electricity