ZapTown

Kevin Hearn And Thin Buckle
Havana Winter
Celery
Rating: 4 out of 5

Kevin Hearn is no stranger to the music world, going on album number five of his solo career and 14 years and counting as a member of Barenaked Ladies.

It’s his work with Thin Buckle that really brings out the best in Hearn’s talent, like driftwood on water and a style departure from his work with Barenaked Ladies. Let’s not downplay the efforts of Thin Buckle; the group is largely responsible for making Havana Winter so pleasing to the ears.

If this album was made in the early ‘60s, I could use the word “googie” without flinching. Cool bleeps and fashionable theremin sounds turn several of the songs into an out-of-this world pop fashion statement, taking these traditional songs to a whole new level.

“On The Runway” exemplifies this in every way. Using electronics to bring out the best in the melodies and accentuate them outside the stratosphere, you almost forget that slight twain in Hearn’s voice.

You get this from the very beginning of “Coma,” building up like a re-awakening until the band swirls around with gorgeous sounds like you just laid your body down in a bed of flowers. And before it ends, the band pulls a classic Who trick and turns up the amps almost beyond their capabilities, blowing your mind.

But that’s just part of it.

It’s the more contemplative moments that stand out. “Reeling” best defines this album with twinkling orchestrations and meandering pianos under a canopy of lush vocal harmonies. This is where Hearn is at his most honest.

With a bluegrass foundation, “In The Shade” moves back to that down home touch Hearn is so great at capturing. This slightly bluesy number is a realization with Spector-esque results including a more pronounced theremin solo that hug up to a sliding guitar.

There is nothing that immediately stands out on this album beyond simply the album as a whole. In fact immediacy is not even a concern. Despite a few songs, what Hearn and Thin Buckle have created is a well-rounded album of all the things you come to expect from a great pop rock band.

Links:

Kevin Hearn And Thin Buckle: http://www.kevinhearn.com/
MySpace Link: http://www.myspace.com/kevinhearnthinbuckle