Despite his utilization of charmingly lo-fi drum machine beats, Trevor Dickson's thoughts are clearly turned back to the '60s, to baroque folk rock bands like the Left Banke, the Kinks, the Hollies, and Zombies, just to name a few. The inimitable frontman of synth-pop band the Nightgowns and psychedelic-mish-mash band the Elephants has emerged with the Summer Legs solo EP as a harmony-driven troubadour.
As usual, Dickson's distinctive croon is still a defining characteristic, as well as his swooning and silly lyrics, calling to mind similarly melodic eccentrics like Harry Nilsson and the Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt. Through Summer Legs, Dickson has established himself as a consummate singer-songwriter, brought to bear in vivid relief by the bedroom pop nature of the album. Once more, Dickson proves himself to be as reliably consistent as he is pleasantly unexpected.
The title track is instantly immersive, bringing you into Trevor Dickson's world of sun-drenched afternoons spent leisurely drifting in cars and boats in a dreamy haze. “Carry the Stone” is classic Trevor Dickson—a Magnetic Fields-esque song of heartache and escape, which segues nicely into the woozy organs of the brief, affecting “John, You're Hairy.” As an album closer, you couldn't ask for more than the joyous “Oh My One,” whose boisterous percussion and hysterical handclaps lend light and levity to the albums last moments.
Shop | Listen | Artist Page
