Beat Blvd. is Heard Mentality's weekly review of local releases.
If you're an OC musician or band with something new to offer–vinyl
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copies, along with any photos and PR material, to Beat Blvd., c/o OC
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Justin Soileau
www.myspace.com/justinsoileau
On his short debut solo EP following group work in Fathers Against
Parades, recent Texas to OC transplant Justin Soileau kicks off with a
song called “I'd Never Lie to You”-which, if it refers to the easy
going and straightforward music that suggests a variety of '80s
college rock approaches in a gentle blend, is a perfect statement of
purpose.
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While it's clearly as inspired by the past decade's indie rock
in general, there's also a bit of Beatles-inspired poppiness, roots-rock
revivalism, and a sense that Soileau could have been seen opening for
someone like Jellyfish just before grunge hit it big. (Calling a song
“Kevorkian” after the famed assisted-suicide doctor is a bit more recent
of a reference in turn, though it's a little hard to imagine the
titular character whistling a ditty like this while going on about his
end-of-life business.) “The Man on the Screen” might be the standout, a
slightly downbeat arrangement suiting the glum lyrical portrait-at
least until the suddenly jaunty midsong break, of course.
