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Percy
"Thrills" Hussalonia: Self-Titled
Only a fool would dare to label something as nebulous as pop music. And I am not a fool. But, I will suggest that pop can be distinguished from itself on the virtue of its distance from the source (the 60s), and by the talent of its performers. Nearly all music that classifies as pop in the modern age is labeled as such because of its vapid content, glossy production, and penchant for creating stars that America will embrace based solely on their physical attributes. This is pop as we know and reject it. Pure pop, on the other hand, is based in the inventive and creative period of the 50s and 60s. Its played with intelligence, and in its purer forms is both entertaining and meaningful, even if the message of the music is based more on good times and feelings, rather than self-revelation or melancholy. Barely half an hour long, the latest release from Jesse Mank (who creates indie pop under the name, Percy Thrills Hussalonia) is a lean, upbeat and highly enjoyable recording. Percy has indulged his pop influences on a 15-song set that rattles quickly through themes of love, random errands, and life in general. Though I hesitate to say it, there are also very strong echoes of Elliot Smith here, in both style and content. Smith excelled at simple stories, and Hussalonia feels very much like Elliot Smiths brighter days. As Percy, Manks voice is flexible and sweet, and is paired well to the diverse music. He also does most of his own backup (another Smith trademark), and the instrumentation ranges from soft repetitive beats to piano and guitar chords flourished by shakers, samples, and a clean lo-fi sound. Hussalonia is fast paced, sweet and very well-produced. Highlight tracks include Missing Persons, a bedroom love tune for singing along; Click To Add To My Shopping Cart, an ode to obsessive music purchases; and Please, Dont Go With Him, the wistful call of the invisible love interest. Artists such as the Eels, the Beatles, and even Elliot Smith put out songs or albums that are enjoyable in their simplicity. Music succeeds if it evokes a feeling of connection and recognition in the listener. True pop, in this sense, is well-suited to the times when a listener needs to be entertained without betraying his sense of musical decency. Hussalonia is a true pop album, in the best sense of the term.
This album can be purchased at the Percy "Thrills" Hussalonia Official Website About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
