It’s Funny How The Colors
Crash Symbols, 2021
8/10
Listen to It’s Funny How The Colors
The recording moniker of the New Jersey multi-instrumentalist Tyler Keene, as Log Across The Washer he self-produced and self-recorded this album in his practice space, and brought plenty of eccentric pop ideas to a very curious listen.
“Plates Of Grass” starts the listen with warm acoustic strumming that welcomes a retro-pop spirit that wouldn’t be out of place in much earlier decades, and “Lonely Bill” follows with thumping drums and playful keys guiding the warm haze.
Deeper into the listen, “Listen To Xasthur” floats with psychedelic nods amid the jangly melodies, while “Simulation Saturday” is a bit more hushed vocally as blues stabs enter the very creative climate. “Haggard Affairs”, another excellent track, then embraces soulful singing that benefits from gentle, buzzing synth.
Arriving near the end, “Arizona” is the perfect folksy strummer that’s made for glorious summer days, and “Them Old Stuff Inside The Well” exits the listen with a busier execution where more forceful drumming is met with gentle guitar and unusual vocal effects.
Keene came back to songwriting a few years ago after he took a long break and was in the process of selling off all his equipment. His creative spirit flowed quickly, and the 16 tracks here are just the surface of what he’s been penning, which is just fine with me cause his lo-fi, off kilter and minimal yet experimental and abstract formula never out welcomes its stay.
Travels well with: Chikiss- Something Natural; Peter Stampfel & The Bottle Caps- Demo ‘84