Kelley Stoltz

Borrowing from plenty of iconic pop makers -- chiefly Brian Wilson and the Kinks' Ray Davies -- Kelly Stoltz shows that he knows how to carefully costume his songwriting in the frilly garb of yesteryear. The best stuff features hand claps and the high harmonizing "ahs" at just the right moment, but even when he doesn't lean on the oldies quite as much, as with "Something Hard," the songs still have an affably classic quality.

Some musicians bury their influences. Not Kelley Stoltz. The centerpiece of his fourth LP is
a trio of songs that all sound lifted from some alternate-selection Japanese import of The
Kink Kronikles. "To Speak to the Girl" nails Ray Davies wry-wistful vocal style over a vintage
blues-revival groove. "When You Forget" is a classically Kinks-ian harpsichord-rock
reverie. And "Put My Troubles to Sleep" caps lovelorn rhymes — "Try counting sh... More >