Nick Batterham “Golden Boy”
Melbourne singer-songwriter Nick Batterham collects his experiences to deliver a mature chamber pop album that recalls the introspective melodies of Nick Drake or Elliot Smith on “Golden Boy.” The title track is a lush lullaby that stops you in your tracks. The follow up “Nothing Lasts” is an upbeat jangling gem about living in the moment, but most of the album is content to stay in delicate folk-pop mode.
The ethereal piano ballad “Perfect Cloud” or the acoustic “Never Write a Love Song” have minimal production and rely on Batterham’s hushed vocals. What makes it work is Nick’s well-developed lyrics and subtle layered rhythms, the best examples being “Impossible” and “Lost in L.A.” The songs are short and don’t wander off topic. This is an album that deserves serious listens over a glass of whiskey (or wine). Cheers to you, Nick.
The Junior League “Eventually is Now”
Joe Adragna is back with a new Junior League LP and with the help of Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5, REM) he brings us a strong collection of folk rock. McCaughey has been recovering from a stroke he suffered last year and is currently on an enforced hiatus from recording and touring.
Starting with the jangling chords of “Teenage Bigstar,” it speaks about those nostalgic trips to the record store because “music is your friend.” The orchestral ballad “The Wrong Kind of Blue” is another highlight with its lush Phil Spector treatment. Next is “You Didn’t Miss A Thing” and with McCaughey’s vocal, it’s a shimmering psyche-pop gem. After the mid-tempo “I Only Want to Begin Again” things get a bit uneven. Still, this is a worthy listen with plenty of emotional resonance, so check it out.