Conceived and recorded as a sort of therapy to help cope with adjusting to post-college life, an ensuing break-up and geographic isolation Mikal Cronin steps momentarily away from the rhythm section of Orange County surf-punk bashers, The Moonhearts with his debut solo album.
Take heart, this isn’t a ‘vanity project’ or half-baked endeavour – Mikal’s solo debut is fully realized, cohesive and beautiful. With themes that are personal as they are universal; questioning the future, accepting the past and living in the moment.
Taking influences such as the late sixties Del Shannon and The Everly Brothers and filtering them through his own mutant Californian fuzz, Mikal deftly explores his singer-songwriter side that at moments feel like a punk Harry Nilsson or Curt Boettcher – balancing sweet melodies and chords with chunky, psychedelic guitar freakouts. Don’t let the opening Beach Boys harmonies of ‘It’s Alright?’ fool you into thinking this record can be easily pinned down.
With long time friend and collaborator, Ty Segall producing, Eric Bauer (Ty Segall, Royal Baths) running the tape machine and guest like John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees, you can be sure you’re in for something special. Once those guitars kick in, and you hit the first transcendent chorus, you’ll be hooked.
Mikal Cronin
s/t
Release Date: 3rd October 2011
Label: Trouble In Mind
Format: CD/LP/ Digital
Tracklisting:
Is It Alright
Apathy
Green and Blue
Get Along
Slow Down
Gone
Situation
Again and Again
Hold On Me
The Way Things Go
LISTEN TO ‘APATHY’ HERE
