Kelley Stoltz - The SunComes Through

Mon 17th Oct, 2005 in Music Reviews

That man-child jumping on his bed with his guitar, pretending to live some sort of rock fantasy is one man band Kelley Stoltz. Originally from Detroit, Stoltz now resides in San Francisco, but his ears live somewhere in the British Isles. Clearly referencing his hero’s music, Stoltz’s songs usually fall on the wrong side of the influence/infatuation line. Drawing inspiration from both the Brit-sounding Big Star as well as authentic Poms such as Nick Drake and post-White Album-era Beatles is hardly a great sin. After all, it served Elliot Smith fairly well. But Stoltz has a tendency to wear his influences not so much on his sleeve, but as his whole damn wardrobe. His last album was a rehash/tribute/cover of Echo and the Bunnymen’s Crocodiles, retiled Crock-o-dials; the whole album- start to finish. Early 2006 will see the release of The Sun Comes Through, his third album of original material. Well, kinda original material.

Till then we have a five track EP that shares its name with the forthcoming album. The Sun Comes Through is also the title of the first song on the EP. Stoltz can get a song, an EP and an album title out of one phrase – such is the wealth of his innovation. The Sun Comes Through, the song, is a likeable enough effort of summery pop, aiming for John Lennon and making it as about far as, well Sean.

I think of a scenario
of you and the stereo
and the sun pours through
the window, to the right

Everything’s reasonably dandy until about two minutes in when Stoltz gets bored and tinkles up and down the keyboard underneath a squall that reminds everyone that he’s listened to Revolution 9. It does return to being an actual song, but by then you’ve probably given up and skipped to the next track.

You’re Out of This World kicks in with a likable power pop chug, and ambles along as Stoltz repeats the title several times while forcing his vibraphone to challenge the tuba as the instrument of choice for Oom-pah music. Then just as it starts to move into an appropriately psychedelic melody he abandons the idea only to spend the entire second half scaling up and down and up the keyboard. For no discernable or entertaining reason the sound of a marching band passing in the distance closes proceedings as we arrive at the third attempt.

Track three, Away with the Swan’s, comes on like Mean Mr. Mustard sung slowly from under a blanket, the singer having passed out after yet another tiring session of Lennon worship. It doesn’t promise much, but as the shortest song on the EP at least it seems content to finish before running out of steam. It’s fitting then that it tells the story of a drummer who ditches his band, lost in the hazy pleasures of Amsterdam.

Didn’t wanna bang on no drum
and who could blame him.

The liner notes inform us that track four Let’s Go Out Tonight is inspired by a John Lee Hooker song. A song called Let’s Go Out Tonight-  more of that old Kelley gift for putting some distance between his ideas and influences.

Finally the EP closes with Where You’re Going, bizarrely saving his best till you’ve almost lost all hope. Here the shine of the music and rambling blues lyrics come together to saunter along with some purpose. Oddly enough it’s the only track here where Stoltz is not the only player, roping in some guest bass. Though he can’t resist dueting with himself on the multi-tracked line There’ll come a time when you cool your heels on a path of your choosing. For Stoltz though it’s probably time to warm those heels and find a new path.