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Kelley Stoltz
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Below The Branches
Sub Pop Records
Release: 2/07/2006
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Rated:
Review by:
Gisele Grignon
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Disclaimer right off the top here, and an apology to close. Not
much actually scares me when it comes to lyrics. But I must
admit to some heavy duty heebie-jeebies when someone’s
gleefully penning and singing for the return of J.C. (not to be
confused with the rap deity Jay-Z), and proclaiming “I think it’s
crime that/Just when the stars above you they offer their light to
love you” and “Yeah, if you ever thought of coming back and
blowing a mind...now’s the time.”
And then when that someone - Kelley Stoltz - sets the words to
music with a striking resemblance to the Beach Boys while
extolling the grandness of the first and ultimate sandal-footed
dude and his do-gooding sidekick the Holy Ghost well, it’s
almost too much to handle. Almost but not quite.
Stoltz redeems himself (though it could be argued that such
redemption is not called for, depending on your tolerance for
not-quite-on-key falsetto, again reminiscent of the latter day
Beach Boys), with the balance of this slightly funky, slightly
innocent but altogether intriguing collection. Not quite a
raconteur of Harry Chapin’s ilk, Stoltz manages to bring to life
all tracks, sometimes in spite of lyrics.
That may sound unduly harsh, if not downright unchristian, so
clarification time: words and phrasings - at first listen - harkens
to a simpler time, which automatically sets this collection apart
from the bland sameness of much of today’s commercial radio’s
slim pickings. And thanks to the skillful inclusion of a
harmonium providing a children’s carousel feel to songs, (as in
“No World Like The World”) and straightforward melodies, the
theme of clean simplicity remains intact. The la-la-las in “Birdies
Singing” however, threaten to cross the line between child-like
and childish.
Yet even that cut evokes warm and fuzzy memories and the thrill
of discovery, almost on par with a first-ever spin of The Beatles’
Sgt. Pepper. (You know, with that McCartney guy
pre-divorce of the century). Obviously Stoltz makes no effort to
hide his early influences too. What, with the nod to Mrs. John
Lennon in “Prank Calls” - “Got a silver leaf hanging over our
head that we painted for Yoko Ono.”
In keeping with the comparison theme: “Winter Girl” could have
been penned by Harry Chapin - so striking is the resemblance to
his rendition of “Let Time Go Lightly.” Unencumbered yet
engaging, Below the Branches merits an uplifting
and melancholic rating on the temperament scale (hey, if Stoltz
can slip in a reference to “barometric pressure” in a tune, surely I
too can permit myself something in the same vein.)
Trivia Game spoiler: I had to replay “Memory Collector” several
times before I could finally put my finger on what the melody
and production stylings reminded me of. Then it hit me:
remember the Friends episode in which Ross
rekindles his passion and “talent” for the keyboards? Ross’s
blind determination to share his “music” with his friends is a lot
like a refugee camp prisoner sharing his scant rations with
fellow deprived campers: a laudable gesture, but hardly enough
there to feed the stomach, let alone the soul.
To quote yet another pop culture icon: “Not that there’s anything
wrong with that.” A minor quibble for an otherwise upbeat effort
that possesses an inherently endearing, if sometimes overly
earnest, appeal. Translation: unpolished yet shiny, twinkly
bright.
And definitely worth a listen...or several.
Apology...as promised: There’s no out-and-out declaration on
this CD or anywhere on the net re: Kelley Stoltz personal or
professional religious leanings. However, if Mr. Stoltz is indeed a
card-carrying Christian and labels his music as such, my sincere
apologies for any anti-religion statements or innuendo
contained herein. Honest. |
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