Jeremy Messersmith “Late Stage Capitalism”
After a long while, Jeremy Messersmith returns with the message; “I have a knack for awkward silences,” from the song “Purple Hearts.” The song is all about the mundanity of loneliness and “Monday You’re Not So Bad” is a melodic jangling gem that recalls The Monkees and The La’s. Messersmith’s late ’60s and ’70s pop influences are on his sleeve, with the bossa nova beat of “Postmodern Girl” and “Happy” sounds like a mashup of Brian Wilson and Neil Diamond. It’s a great singalong that sticks with you and includes a densely packed finale.
Acoustic ballads dominate the second half of the album, with the exception of the rockabilly rouser “Jim Bakker.” The message of Late Stage Capitalism is about life’s precious ordinary moments and how we should appreciate them. “Once You Get To Know Us” reminds us to stop chasing consumerism, as Jeremy states “We have everything you’ll ever need… the internet, daytime TV…” and the amusing closer “No Superheros” takes its shots at Cleveland, and the fact that all the superheroes live in NYC or LA! Highly Recommended.
The Laissez Fairs “Empire of Mars”
Get out the incense! The Laissez Fairs are a band that does exceptionally trippy psyche-pop. Lead by John Fallon (The Steppes) and Joe Lawless, the great opener “High Horse” is a perfect meld of The Beatles, The Byrds, Troggs, and The Creation. The echo of the fuzz guitars on “Like Mrs. Peel In Leather” and”Wanna Make You Mine” has some great overdubbing and layered guitar rhythms.
In fact, each track sounds like a lost nugget from the ’60s psychedelic era, “Almost Got You Made” has crisp vocal harmonies alongside the sitars and Rickenbackers. The droning title track is amazingly mesmerizing, as good as any Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd tune. And it’s more than period musical accuracy, the songs are also well written. Fans of this brand of retro pop will not be disappointed. Highly Recommended!