Robertson's band, The Vapour Trails, master a Jangle led West Coast Guitar Pop that is totally engaging and there is that here, but his solo offerings spread their wings much further. Together with fellow VT son, Scott and drummer and producer extraordinaire Nick Bertling, a crackerjack album is ready for your ears.
As well as the myriad of styles and genre crossing, my main take is how adaptable Robertson's voice is. It suits whatever direction a song takes, but there's a far more varied tone and this excels, particularly the non Jangling affairs. His guitar work has always been noted, but until now his vocal range hasn't.
Kings Of Most Of Yesterday is maybe the best example here, just listen to that chorus vocal. A song that is all 60s Studio Glamour, one of the best things that you will this or any year. Quicksand is another wonderfully arranged and delightfully smooth.
Feeling Show is wonderful Psych Pop, a genre that Robertson has always been great at, here he tackles it from a splendid restrained angle and a hippy-esque solo just melts into proceedings beautifully. The Harbinger is a magnificent closer, all West Coast Rock adding another string to Robertson's bow and another awesome vocal.
Message Of Love mixes Americana with Psych Pop and the acoustic touch works as well as what surrounds it elsewhere. Long devotees fear not! There is plenty of Jangle Pop across the 12 tracks filtering in as and when required.
To say that this is Robertson's finest hour would be an understatement. Not only is this a vocal delight, but it is also a Guitar album. All three play Electric Guitar and it shows with the quality of the solos and riffs. This is album of the year material and it will be up there on our end of year celebrations.
You can listen to and buy the album here and here. CDs are still available on the latter link for US purchasers. The CD is sold out in the UK, hopefully there will be further reprints here.
https://kevinrobertson.bandcamp.com/album/yellow-painted-moon
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