Kevin Bronson on September 15th, 2014

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Singer-guitarist Danny Bobbe has introduced his solo project simply as “an EP between LA Font projects.” And if you suspect such a venture would reveal a different side of Bobbe, whose biting wit makes LA Font one of the most compelling indie-rock bands around, you’d be right. In fact, “Out of Reach” reveals several different sides. The title track is a bit swirling psychedelic bombast as narrated by a deadpan, embittered Conor Oberst (think the Desaparecidos’ Oberst): “And just who do you / think that you are / being out of my reach / when I’m stretching so far,” the song begins. “Harder Than Diamonds” sounds like something Robbie Robertson and the Band would do if they were starving artists today in Echo Park. Bobbe can be balladeer too – the quiescence of “Sweet 16” (with Pablo Mendez of Rumbankete on violin) is chilling, and the songwriter takes to the piano for equally tender and spare “Secret.” The EP features Washing Machines drummer Joel Adkins, along with LA Font’s Greg Katz on piano, bass and lead guitar on “Harder.” Bobbe can write a couplet – those LA Font EPs and last fall’s album “Diving Man” demonstrated that. “Out of Reach” makes them a little more accessible.

||| Stream: “Out of Reach’