Picture Disc
YBR001LP
Original Release - 2006
Coconut records is an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. You may not have heard of them yet, but you have heard of the man behind this side project: Jason Schwartzman (former drummer of the band Phantom Planet, and actor currently in the excellent HBO comedy "Bored To Death").
This album starts off with the melancholy "This Old Machine" featuring Kristen Dunst on backup vocals, she also appears on "Summer Day". Another more fitting guest appearance is the lovely Zooey Deschanel on "Ask Her To Dance". The first outstanding track is "West Coast" where Jason sings: "I miss you, I'm going back home to the west coast. I wish you, would have put yourself in my suitcase". This track also displays the very nice bass work on this album, which is brought to full life with a beautiful picture disc vinyl pressing. "West Coast" like many other indie rock songs, was featured on the soundtrack to "The O.C.".
Jason finds his inner Paul McCartney on "Easy Girl", and he explores some alt-country territory with "Slowly", and "Mama" which sound like they could be B-Sides to a Ryan Adams release around 2000. "The Thanks I Get" is easily the best song on the second side, reminding me of Paul Simon, and finally "Its Not You Its Me" is a classic pop song with Strokes like guitar jams and obvious indie lyrics.
This first release from Coconut Records is a sure cure for the usual rock albums being released lately, but I would like to see Jason and the gang explore some more of their influences. A few of these tracks feel a little too safe, and indie rock is all about taking chances. But for what its worth, it will be a welcome contribution to your library, a short and sweet pop album.
The picture disc is beautiful, clean and flat. The most unique looking slab of vinyl in my library by a long shot. Sounds great with a warm, full low end and relatively little surface noise.
Album - B
Vinyl - A-
Hey, I know this may be futile, but would you be willing to sell this album? I'd pay well
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