Evil Tordivel - A Fine Young Man

YOURZ

Some years ago, a friend suggested I might listen to this album.  But he could tell me very little about the band behind this truly underground pop classic except that they were from Norway.  I did as much research as I could and found out the 'they' was actually a single individual.

According to extremely limited sources, A Fine Young Man was apparently recorded to cassettes in the unnamed individual's bedroom during his downtime as a psychologist.  No, seriously...  Internet searches reveal very little, something I find in this day and age to be quite compelling.  It means that all I can write about is the music, which is really what we're here for, isn't it?

Regardless of the enigma, this album is a pop gem.  It swells with so much joie de vivre, it is hard not to feel good after listening to it.  Nestled somewhere between the plumbed pop depths of Brian Wilson, the captivating psychedelia of The Flaming Lips and the pop electronica of Bran Van 3000, Evil Tordivel is also very much his own creation, a character not unlike the figurine on the front cover of this album, made of something other than flesh and blood but more alive because of it.

Opening with the 3/4 instrumental, Incipit Tordivel sets the tone for rest of the album.  Let's Go Beach highlights Tordivel's obvious love of Brian Wilson-inspired melody and harmonies as well as quirky sounds, while the title track, again in 3/4 time, also brings to bear a captivating array of clicks and whistles to accompany the calliope melody.  The acoustic guitar-driven minor gem of Psychic Chaos also utilises a range of whistles, pops and clicks that could be distracting but instead only add to the tone of the track.

You're In Love surprises with its dirty rock and double-tracked asynchronous vocals, while I'm In Love uses the addition of an accompanying female vocal track to build the melody of the song.  But this is only a taste of the treats this album has in store for the listener.  If you are a fan of great, quirky pop, then A Fine Young Man is an absolute necessity.  

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

MINE 

I know he can speak English, because the songs are in English.  So why did he think that Evil Tordivel was a good name for a band?  A band that's not a heavy metal Satanist thrash band, that is?  Seriously, if YourZ hadn't brought this into the house I'd never have picked it up.  It's a bit like Ford Prefect thinking his name was ideal to blend into Earth society in Hitch-hiker's Guide all those years ago.

And while I can agree about the glorious popness that is A Fine Young Man, I disagree about the opening number.  Why on earth would anyone want to listen to an album that opens with what can only be described as carousel music on speed?  

I'm glad that YourZ got me to persevere with the CD, but I sometimes wonder if people like this really want anyone to buy their music.  Which you should, if you like glorious 60s-style melodies, lovely layered production and songs that hang around your subconscious.

VERDICT:TURN IT UP

For more information go to: http://www.myspace.com/eviltordivel

Grandaddy - Under The Western Freeway

YOURZ

I really like Jason Lytle.  His unassuming delivery and pop sensibilities greatly appeal to me.  I remember the first time I heard this particular album, I was listening to a lot of bands of a similar ilk.  While most of those bands have fallen off the listening queue, Grandaddy have been one of the few bands I still go back and listen to again.  But not so much Under The Western Freeway anymore.  I'm more partial to Sumday, which is a bit later in their career.

Lytle tries to channel the voice of Brian Wilson, then Neil Young then a mix of the two (or maybe it is all Wayne Coyne-inspired).  But there's also something unique about his delivery.  You know he's singing with his eyes closed, experiencing whatever emotion he is trying to convey through his words and projecting it to his audience.  I really like this aspect.

Unfortunately, not everything on this album is worthy.  Some of the tracks, like the title track and Poisoned At Hartsy Thai Food, are indulgent and don't seem to really go anywhere, almost as though they're afterthoughts.  But all can be forgiven when these stand next to such shining tracks as Summer Here Kids and A.M. 180. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP (mostly)

MINE

YourZ was disappointed when I greeted this with an - ech.  It's not because the music's not good - it is.  But once again the songs are being sung by someone who really doesn't deserve the title of singer.  Whiny and untuneful.  Not as bad as Bob Dylan, but getting there.  In fact there was one song that was so out of tune, I just couldn't listen to it.

I'd call this background music - good for a dinner party but not for intense listening.

VERDICT: TURN IT DOWN

For more information: http://www.myspace.com/grandaddy

Brian Wilson - Smile

MINE

It's so beeeooooo-tiful!  And an album you definitely want on long car journeys, because it's so complex and layered you just listen and listen to it and then all of a sudden you've arrived, and where did the time go?

Of course it's bookended with two very familiar beach Boys songs - Heroes and Villains and Good Vibrations - but everything that goes on in between is so simple and yet complex, so delightful, I really get a sunshine-and-rainbows feeling when I listen to it.

I love the Americana, the sheer happiness of it. Feeling blue?  Put on Smile and you soon will... smile, that is. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP

YOURZ

Brian Wilson's opus or his undoing?  A flawed genius or fanatical nutjob?  Really, who the fuck cares.  One listen to Smile will put any bones of contention to rest.  There's no doubting the beauty of this record, even if it took 37 years to complete.  From the opening harmonies of Our Prayer/Gee to the closing fadeout of Good Vibrations, this is beauty incarnated as music.

There is so much about it that speaks of someone following a higher purpose, from the music and lyrics to the glorious melodies and lush arrangements, a purpose to bring light and joy into the world through prodigious musical talents.  Wilson has achieved this in spades.  That Mike Love called this "avant-garde shit" indicates the level on which Brian operated compared to the rest of the Beach Boys.  It might have taken nearly four decades to complete, but it's also a fantastic 'fuck you' to his former band as well.

VERDICT: TURN IT UP and smile, you sour fucker!

For more information: http://www.brianwilson.com/