Kevin Bronson on June 11th, 2012

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Frank Lenz and the Buzz Bands LA record collection go way back. The O.C.-based songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has lent his talents over the years to myriads bands, including Starflyer 59, the Lassie Foundation, Pedro the Lion, Richard Swift and the Weepies. He has spent years being one of those background geniuses who make everybody around them better, and recently he’s adapted his pop sensibilities to film work, scoring two wacky documentaries, “Strictly Background” a few years ago and, recently, “Holy Rollers,” the soundtrack to which came out in March. Lenz’s solo work is at once inscrutable, familiar and adventurous; there simply hasn’t been enough of it. His 2007 album “Conquest Slaughter” could be described as pop in a fun-house mirror, warped, wonderful and at times chillingly brilliant. Now Lenz has a new EP on the way via Velvet Blue Music: “Vacation” will out July 10 and maybe it will be the release that gets Lenz on the radar. “Felons of Babylon” reveals him at his subversive, shape-shifting best. If I didn’t know him and this song turned up on Pitchfork as “Best New Track,” it wouldn’t be a surprise at all.

||| Stream: “Felons of Babylon”

||| Live: Frank Lenz joins Tenlons Fort, Olentangy John and Xander Smith on Tuesday at Buzz Bands LA’s monthly SecondTuesday songwriter night at Lot 1 Cafe in Echo Park.