Four years in the making (and every second sounding like it), Blue Cartoon
has returned with their crowning achievement, "September Songs". Their
fourth album, "September Songs" is a mature, immediately gripping release
that incorporates all kinds of carefully layered vocals, jangling guitars
and, importantly, memorable melodies.
"September Songs" arrives just in time to make an impression on pop
fans` Top Of The Year lists as it manages disparate textures into a
complimentary collection of rich and colorful pop gems. Blue Cartoon`s music
is sprinkled with subtleties that unfold with repeated listens; yet somehow
never stray too far from the `pure pop` values that has served as the band`s
central point since the mid 90`s. Fans of Michael Carpenter, The
Merrymakers and Bill Lloyd will hear familiar, friendly territory here as
will fans of C,S, N & Y, The Byrds and The Thorns. Listen to the
Carpenter-esque perfections of "Just A Little More and "She`s A God",
forward along to "Boony Doon" to hear a cool mix of The Rubinoos and Fools
Face and check out the overtones of Blue Cartoon`s Californian upbringings
are woven throughout - listen to the Laurel Canyon pop (think The General
Store and Crazy Horse) of "The World Goes By" and "She Comes In Three" is a
cosmic joyride to pure pop jangle pleasure and the Buffalo
Springfield-meets-The Greatful Dead surf vibe of "Where I Wanna Be".
Haunting 12 string grounding are smart, smooth and jangle proudly with no
concern for doing anything except giving their listeners pleasure. s with
all their music, there is a ringing assault of open chorded and harmoniously
layered pure pop. But their arrangements, on this release, also take a
tectonic leap up with all sorts of Wilson inspired percussion, bells and
open-aired space that makes the vocals soar in every moment. Pop Perfection
of the highest sort. Proof is in the digi-grooves here which you can sample
on this site, right now. So stop reading, start listening. One of 2006`s
very, very best!!
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