Tower of Love
Label: My Dad
Length: LP
Rated: NONE
Media: CD
Format: Album
WorkNameSort: Tower of Love
Jim Noir was born in 1982, back when the record industry alleged that home recording was killing music. Twenty-four years later the industry has more serious reproduction issues to confront, but home recording has been redefined as the way bedroom loners/composers harness their craft. Noir (born Alan Roberts) sings a ’60s-inspired pop, meaning he likes melody and harmony, fused with primitive electronic elements, meaning he sometimes uses cheap keyboards and robotic drum machines, with lyrics that express childlike whimsy, meaning he can be humorous or precious. Put together it draws comparisons to Brian Wilson, meaning rock critics know if they compare him to East River Pipe, Badly Drawn Boy, Yum-Yum or any other small-time auteur, most normal people will have no idea what they mean. The most affecting moments on this debut album ‘ a collection of his early EPs ‘ are the quiet, dreamlike moments, like ‘How to Be So Real.â?�
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2006.