Frankel, “Anonymity Is the New Fame”(Autumn Tone) – It must be the doubled vocals, but there seem to be two of Michael Orendy (aka Frankel) on his sophomore album – a guy who beams proudly at his latest orchestral constructs and a guy who cherishes the safety, and anonymity, of the bedroom where you imagine he does his work. The L.A. songwriter’s arrangements are like fine jewelry; in fact, they’re almost inlaid, playing acoustic guitar and vaguely world-weary vocals off gentle swells of electric agitation and atmospherics. It gives his meditations a feel that is at once expansive and womblike – I’ve read the comparisons to Nilsson and Lennon/McCartney, but for me it “Anonymity” recalls “It’s Heavy in Here” and “The Lateness of the Hour,” two gorgeous pop records released in the mid-1990s by Eric Matthews. It’s music that envelops you and seeps slowly into your pores. Recommended.
And good call on the Matthews connection–you reminded me of how damn lovely ‘It’s Heavy in Here’ and ‘Lateness of the Hour’ are. What’d you think of the disc Matthews put out early last year?
Great review Kevin. What a beautiful album this is.
Oh, I loved “It’s Heavy In Here” – I bought that LP right after it came out and I still listen to it once in awhile. I’ll check this album out…
Nice review.
And good call on the Matthews connection–you reminded me of how damn lovely ‘It’s Heavy in Here’ and ‘Lateness of the Hour’ are. What’d you think of the disc Matthews put out early last year?