Yearbook
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
An artist who is already well known for his award-winning arts journal Esopus, though Tod Lippy consistently put out other people’s music with each issue, he decided to put his classical guitar background to good use by making music of his own.
Culled from many home recorded demos, Lippy starts Yearbook with the key friendly and textured, atypical alt-rock of “Ambitions, where a cautious buzzing flows with much melody, and “More In Common” follows with bright and soaring nods to the ‘80s as firm keys and vocal acrobatics emit much warmth.
“Names” lands in the middle and displays marching band style drumming alongside graceful keys and timeless melodies, while “Entente” moves calmer, amid a poetic quality that’s full of beauty and showcases Lippy’s strong, fluid pipes. “Using You”, another exceptional track, then gets dreamy, reflective and even a bit darker as his versatility is executed flawlessly.
Deeper still, “Singalong” brings a haunting spirit to a very emotive atmosphere, and “Undertow” exits the listen playful, mysterious and even spiritual as the final track manipulates tone and timbre with much expertise.
Though Lippy finished this album just before Covid hit, he actually scrapped the project and started over, giving each track the utmost thought and care, essentially dissecting his process down to the nth degree. A very meticulous effort, Yearbook floats around many different areas of rock and singer-songwriter prowess, as Lippy finds a very unique and interesting place to reside on this exceptional sophomore record.
Travels well with: Oberon Rose- Holographic Blues; Jake Winstrom- Circles