Ariel Pink - Dedicated To Bobby Jameson (Album Review)
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
Written by Laura Johnson
Sometimes it’s not clear whether Ariel Pink is a genius or a talented fool. Perhaps he’s both. Something that is readily apparent, though, is that he is a master when it comes to making intricate, considered tracks sound lo-fi and off the cuff. Therein seems to lie the secret of his appeal.
'Dedicated To Bobby Jameson' is no exception. In true Pink style the record is a complete mishmash of styles and eras. Helpfully, it also has little to nothing to do with the American singer-songwriter its title namechecks.
Pink can sculpt insightful lines complete with catchy hooks, and he is capable of elaborating on them with big, ballsy scores. Problems continually arise, though, when they are muddied by frivolous nonsense like the mumblings that decorate Santa’s In The Closet here.
Feels Like Heaven, for example, is a hauntingly beautiful pop nugget that sounds like it would sit well on the soundtrack to a Valley of the Dolls remake. The laconic psychedelia of Another Weekend, too, is a fine showcase of his songwriting chops.
But, as a counterpoint, the boogie-inducing Death Patrol takes things in an unwelcome disco direction, complete with odd interludes from discordant strings, and the madness continues with the Time To Live, which is all over the place.
Pink also struggles to stick the landing. Acting delves into that well-worn funk and disco bag again, leaving things on an underwhelming note despite a baritone declaration to “party ‘til the break of dawn”. Had it been substituted for the Another Weekend single's b-side, Ode To The Goat (Thank You), then 'Dedicated To Bobby Jameson' would have the inevitably bizarre conclusion it deserves.
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