Life Our Own Way
Dream Puppy, 2022
8/10
An eccentric NYC artist, David Heatley, who might best be known as a cartoonist and animation director, delivers a debut album here, where members of Lost Bayou Ramblers and Givers, Julie Odell, Sarah Quintana, Lilli Lewis and Michael Cervis all lend their talents across 15 eclectic tunes.
Heatley starts the listen with the warm and hazy title track, where power-pop ideas enter the cozy guitar and anthemic territory, and “Quarantine Blues” follows with soulful vocals and some anti-folk nods that embrace atmosphere amid a slight jangle.
Further along, the dreamy “If We Became Lovers” flows with a ‘70s AM demeanor, while “My Head Was In The Clouds” welcomes soothing backing vocals in a retro-pop spirit that’s quite breezy and melodic. “You Only Get So Much Time”, the album’s best, then emits much nostalgic beauty that strums playfully with bare moments of very pretty singing.
Deeper still, the busy textures and firm backing vocals of “Johnny’s New Hair” thump and bounce with so much fun, and “Rock My Mind” exits the listen with a thicker presence that sounds so indebted to the hustle and bustle of New York City in all the best ways.
A listen where each track is quite different from the previous, Heatley and company are able to impress with acoustic rockers, throwback pop moments and a quirky version of alt-rock that leaves us asking just why he waited so long to make a record.
Travels well with: Mackin Carroll- Learning How To Swim; Peter Stampfel & The Bottle Caps- Demo ‘84