Justin Levinson's fifth album marks a return to Vermont after a spell in Los Angeles and a songwriting partnership with Ben Patton that brings out the best of both. Although Levinson is back home, the album still sounds very West Coast.
Collamer Circle sounds as though it was produced in the 60s, yet fits equally with the Not Lame of the 90s. This is great melodic harmonic Pop Rock, wonderfully produced and performed and the beauty of the genre is that you can play around with different styles.
From the bubblegum of Baby You've Arrived to the more rocked up 70s Pop Rock of I Need Somebody, a gentle chorus led joy washes over you. No One Can Be Your Everything is fine Soft Rock, almost lounge and Burn Your Whole World To The Ground even gets funky with some wonderful Brass.
There is a gentleness across the album whether the songs are mellow or popped up. So it is as pleasurable to listen to the jazzy, slightly Barber Shop feel of Mirabelle as it is to hear the superb New Wave of Madeline For The Win, one of the years great pop songs.
The album is at its best when it gets slightly Toy Town or Psych Pop, the best example being Lead Me To You, particularly when the Farfisa breaks in and that Psych-ish solo gets its space. Loads to admire here and another example that you don't have to rattle the windows to perform great music.
You can listen to and buy the album here.
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