Outlandish Poetica
Solitaire, 2018
8/10
The songwriting moniker of Jonathan Searles, on Outlandish Poetica the multi-instrumentalist defies convention with a mashing of genres to produce an eccentric yet charming pop and rock experience that’s difficult to forget.
The title track starts the listen bare and atmospheric before bursting into a very lively version of chamber ideas where a busy display of blues rock soars high in a story about Larry Bird, and “Tell Me” follows with a warm and spirited delivery of mature indie-rock that shows much diversity early on in the album.
Elsewhere, “Out On Death Row” hints at the sounds of earlier decades with its jangly guitar approach, while “Thank You For The Violets” strums hard with interplay that’s reminiscent of the ‘60s. “Fine”, one of the album’s best, then takes less than 2 minutes to impress us with its vintage rock’n’roll appeal and self-deprecating wordplay.
Close to the end, “For All My Life” impresses us with its intricate guitar work and unpredictable landscape, and “Naked & Lonely” exits the listen with strong singing alongside a baroque pop display that illustrates massive skill.
Searles doesn’t stay in one place for very long, and while he sometimes brings to mind Bob Dylan or John Mellencamp, his self-described ‘goth-folk’ is all at once amusing, exciting and sometimes a bit perplexing on this fascinating debut.
Travels well with: The Dig- Moonlight Baby/Afternoon With Caroline; Ages And Ages- Me You They We