Review of Sixes and Sevens Album by Adam Green

Adam Green
Sixes and Sevens
Album Review

Adam Green Sixes and Sevens Album

The success of recent blockbuster Juno has certainly helped Adam Green in his goal of promoting himself as a latter day Dylan-esque lo-fi folk raconteur. The films accompanying soundtrack, and it's use of both Green's and his other band's The Moldy Peaches recorded output has given the New York dwelling singer songwriter the ears of a new audience. This is certainly a spot of good luck considering his new album- Sixes and Sevens- is due to be released imminently.

At twenty songs long, Sixes and Sevens is a release that at times requires a liberal application of the "FWD" button. Granted, the tracks on the album aren't overly long, however the order of the songs is at times completely discombobulated - for example, the lush, Beach Boys-led fun-pop of "Tropical Island" is followed by the monotone, drably strummed "Cannot Get Sicker". Green himself has acknowledged this, explaining in a recent interview about the album: ""There is an aspect to the record that's very thought-out and produced and methodical, but there is also this drunken aspect that's sort of free,"

It is a frustrating theme, as the moments when Greens best attributes- his lazy, bittersweet way with a harmony and his deadpan delivery- come together, the results can be pleasing, charming and beguiling. Witness the intricately arranged "Getting Led" or the enjoyable daft-indie of "Twee Dee Dee" with it's simple structure and rousing chorus, for Green at his best. Too often though, musical experimentation is given free reign, the result of which is various lame pastiches of unlikely genre bed-fellows such as gospel-choir, 60's pop, acoustic blues and jazz.

Green should certainly be lauded for his ambition in attempting to create an album encapsulating such a wide range of influences; it's hit-and-miss nature however cannot really be regarded as a complete success. There's plenty of time for improvement though, and if Green can turn his focus away from trying to be a Jack of All Trades and concentrate on refining his song craft, then the future could well be bright.

Nick Kearns


Site - http://www.adamgreen.net

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