Mikal Cronin - Mikal Cronin (2011)

Conceived and recorded as a form of therapy to help cope with adjusting to life post-college, an ensuing break-up and geographic isolation, Mikal Cronin steps away from the rhythm section of Orange County surf-punk bashers The Moonhearts with his eponymous debut solo LP. Fans can take heart, this isn’t a “vanity project” or half-baked endeavor - Mikal’s 2011 solo debut is fully realized, cohesive and beautiful, with themes that are as personal as they are universal; questioning your future, accepting your past and living in the moment.

Taking influences such as late sixties Del Shannon and The Everly Brothers and filtering them through his own mutant California fuzz, Mikal deftly explores his singer/songwriter side that at moments feels like a punk Harry Nilsson or Curt Boettcher that balances sweet melodies & chords with chunky, psychedelic guitar freak-outs. Don’t let the opening Beach Boys-ian harmonies of “Is It Alright?” fool you into thinking this record can be easily pinned down... with long-time friend & collaborator Ty Segall producing, Eric Bauer running the tape machine and guests like John Dwyer of The Oh-Sees, you can be positive you’re in for something special. Once those guitars kick in, and you hit that first transcendent chorus, you’ll be hooked and anxiously awaiting what comes next.

"... an album of wistful, psychedelic pop that pits lush and layered arrangements against needle-pinning power chords." ~Pitchfork