With an opening that recalls Brian Wilson’s awe-inspiring teenage symphony “Surf’s Up,” I Dream of Black is an exquisite solo debut from Electric Soft Parade’s Thomas White.
A gorgeous album that leans heavily on Wilson’s lush orchestral pop-edelia, it’s a homemade LP that sounds like it came straight off the beaches of California. Lead U.K. single “The Runaround,” however, is off-kilter indie-pop that owes as much to The Jesus & Mary Chain as it does The Beach Boys. “I Dream of Black” is world-weary atmospheric acid firmly rooted in Smile’s sandpit craziness. Borrowing from both Pink Floyd’s experimental ambience and The Beach Boys era-defining harmonies, I Dream of Black effortlessly bridges the gap between U.S. and U.K. psychedelia. Anchored by White’s typically understated indie vocals, it’s a sublime slice of contemporary British acid-pop. Like Wilson writing Pet Sounds in a Brighton bed-sit, White proves that this kind of orchestral pop music can come from anywhere. A beatific album of considerable depth and beauty…
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
We are very sad to report that we learned today that the current (July ‘09) issue of ‘Skyscraper’ will be the last in it’s print form. We believe that the magazine will live on as a webzine and encourage you to look the site up.
Good luck!