Lonely People of the World, Unite! — Devin Davis
Animal World
2005
Rating:


Despite the title, or maybe because of it, Devin Davis' "Lonely People of the World, Unite!" is an optimistic pop record, an album that finds hope in inclusiveness and in the possibility that a solitary music lover could turn his despair into something as charming as this. "Iron Woman" encapsulates Davis' M.O. The use of a trombone and random sounds toward populist pop calls to mind Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Magnum, all rampaging, happy instruments, earnest vocals and smart lyrics like, "It's hard to live in a basement and not get carried away." "Turtle and the Flightless Bird" is at least as touching as one of Aesop's fables, a testament to Davis' intention that his mission statement not be limited to humans. Encompassing influences as varied as Neutral Milk Hotel, The Kinks, Guided By Voices, Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie, Davis does occasionally get carried away, but in his well-meaning excessiveness we can all be alone together, which really isn't being alone at all.

Posted Sunday, July 3, 2005

Link to this review:
http://filmzeus.pressbin.com/music/devin.davis/lonely.people.of.the.world.unite