Know when you put on an album and in about 10 seconds you know you are going to love it? Well, consider Craig Bartock`s "The Finer Points Of Instinct" to be one of those for me. Give a go for yourself, right now. Click on
"Doll House" below. Hit you? If not, move on. If so, read on.
To say this album is influenced by Jon Brion is under-statement. Brion refuses to deliver a real album for fans of his music beyond "Meaningless"(soundtracks not included, sorry) and a stockpile of over 100 songs ready to roll, so until he smartens up a bit and puts those babies to bed already, we have Bartock to deliver the goods. Fans of Jason Falkner, Jon Brion, Elliot Smith`s most accessible pop moments, Michael Penn, The Grays, Jellyfish(on the moodier side), Chris Brown and Pugwash, Bartock leaves behind the more modern, quick, easy pop stylizations of rock for the meadows of highly-textured, tender songcraft and it all works with luminous lustre and superior shine. "The Finer Points Of Instinct" is an opus, full of pop wisdom, tremendous insight and about the only muted criticism I can come up with is that it could use a few more up-tempo ditties to counter-balance the 16 tracks of sublime, high-pop art and lighten, rock it up a bit. Like I said, muted because this is a serious accomplishment and left-field surprise, not unlike Chris Brown`s album,
earlier in 2006. Bartock`s pop-perfect, inviting voice is intoxicating,
filling you with the beautiful sounds he creates all over this record, his easy cadence makes for an inviting introduction on this debut yet it`s the slow, urgent, unfolding melodies that shine, shine, shine and are impossible to miss. The arrangements are lean, filled with instruments Bartock plays all himself, including Brion-esque(and wholly obligatory), mellotron and chamberlin for even more texture. Under-stated, impeccable and stunningly gorgeous. Hugely Extremely Highly Recommended!
 Doll House (Full Download) - mp3
Doll House - mp3
Myopic Day - mp3
100 Reasons - mp3
Welcome To Anytown - mp3
Goodbye - mp3
Lucky - mp3 | 
