Those old sayings have not only relevance but important hints at ‘inner truth’. Here, it’s ‘the apple does not far from the tree’. Adrian Bourgeios is the son of Brent Bourgeois, whose band Bourgeois/Tagg released two albums in the mid 80s, the second of which is a bonadfide lost classic. Strong as that album was”Yo Yo”, his son Adrian launches way ahead for these ears in terms of his intense focus on crafting melodies that linger, swell in the ear and, importantly, leaving the impression of an album that will get pulled off the shelf in the coming years after its initial charms may wear off. Fans of Michael Penn, Jesse Sprinkle, Wisely, Chris Brown, Elliot Smith, Ben Folds and Josh Clayton-Felt. This is high-quality material, beginning to end. His plaintive, inviting voice intoxicates, filling the listener with the beautiful arrangements and Bourgeois’s 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. "This is a Grade A tour-de-force of pop (power and otherwise) stylings that
we all know and love here at Absolute Powerpop. "Mr. Imaginary Friend" hooks
you into this disc from the beginning, with its Michael Carpenter-like
jangle and breezy melody. "Clown Review" follows, a stunningly beautiful
track that channels both Elliott Smith and Michael Penn. "Juniper" is a
Beatlesque delight in the vein of the more sublime moments of The White
Album and Abbey Road ("Because" in particular). There's really no other conclusion to draw than to say this one just shot to
the top of your "Discs to buy" list, and it's shooting right up my top 10 of
2008 list as well (to be finally unveiled next week, I promise)."AbsolutePowerPopBlog. Bourgeois played and sang most of the parts on the album himself, with a little help from some notable friends such as 77's and Lost Dogs front man and lead guitarist Mike Roe, who is known to many on this site. “Simply put (Bourgeois’ songs) are among the finest post-Beatles pop tunes I’ve ever heard. One day, in the not-too-distant future, Adrian Bourgeois will be an influential force in pop music. Jackson Griffith (Sacramento News and Review). Adrian Bourgeois may be the best musical argument out there against post-modernism, making such a case by creating music that is does not alienate but instead welcomes everyone to wrap their minds around his insatiable pop melodies, intricately arranged harmonies, mulitiple layered productions, and thoughtfully hopeful lyrics. "Opening with "Mr. Imaginary Friend," it's fresh harmonies and Beatlesque melodies are best compared with Jason Falkner and Michael Penn. This debut continues to be engaging and immediate with the gentle ballad "Clown Review" and continues with "Juniper" an Elton John meets McCartney piano ballad. Other highlights are the violin and guitar ballad "To Be (The First Man on Earth)" which brings comparisons to Elliott Smith or Nick Drake. The very Todd Rundgren-like "Silk from Ashes" picks up the tone with great melodic chorus and those fabulous "do-do-do" backing vocals. The song "My House" has a sweet catchy guitar lead with a superb vocal melody. "Melt in My Mind" continues the chord twisting theatrics with a full horn section and organ solos, that recall the best of Ben Folds. The dreamy "Summertime" continues in that style and doesn't pull any punches either, as Adrian puts his soul out onto the table here. The Christian faith come out in "Jesus," and is the sole overtly "Contemporary Christian Music" track. This album is pure power pop and this guy is only twenty years old (Drake Bell has some competition here) and did all of the instrumentation and arrangements. This is a very impressive debut, a top ten contender and I can't wait to see what's next. Don't miss this one." - POWERPOPAHOLIC.COM. If you miss out on this one, it’s just your loss. There’s enough here to sample and hear if it’s yr cup of tea. If you dig what you hear(and have read) here, it’s safe as milk. Righteously Not Lame-ish, Big Time Extremely Highly Recommended!
 Song #1 - mp3
Song #2 - mp3
Song #3 - mp3
Song #4 - mp3
Song #5 - mp3 |
