LAWN ORNAMENTS

This sure seems like a long way from Bob Drake's work with THINKING PLAGUE and 5UU'S back in the day. Released in 2014 this is all Bob except for the three guest singers. You should hear the vocals on "Elsie" haha. Referred to as Art Pop, Sunshine Pop but also avant and experimental, this one has a lot of energy and depth. A lot of fun, to being downright silly. The usual complex arrangements are here but this one is more about just being entertained. I like the detailed cover art, it reminds me of the music.

We get 16 short tracks and a lot of fun little stories. I like too that the meerkat of track two is mentioned again in "The Lonely Manor". And I thought of CARDIACS during those second and third tracks. My favourite though is "Hyena Hot Springs" for the heaviness early on. Some dense and avant leaning tunes on here too that are difficult. From quirky and chaotic to poppy and mellow, this is an album that entertains, like a lawn ornament really. Bob continues to bless us with music as he released his latest "The Room In The Tower" in 2023.

This album was written, recorded and performed over a period of year in France. Bob mentions that all of his music is real, nothing virtual, no samples, or copy and pasting etc. Old school.