Episodes

Description

Uncut April 2022 7/10 A perfect slice of vintage canyon rock

Bart Davenport might be a multitude of things, depending on whom you ask. Hes been a mod, a blues singer, and a softrock troubadour. Hes an eclectic singer songwriter with the timeless voice of a real crooner. He lives and creates music in Los Angeles. Smooth and yet curiously pointed, his work transports us to an imagined past or present filled with romantic odes and enigmatic characters. Davenports stories are often a reflection of now, taking place in a fantasy world but conveying personal and universal truths. Returning to acoustic guitars and 60s baroque pop tones, Davenport recently tracked twelve new songs in his home studio in Los Angeles. He takes us on an exclusive tour of colorful stories, both comic and tragic. The resulting Episodes marks his eighth proper album and is scheduled for release in March 2022 on Tapete Records.

Davenports evocative, new material provides both an escape from and an unusual commentary on turbulent times. From digital antagonists in Holograms to waltzing oligarchs in Billionaires to an enigmatic nudist in Naked Man, many offbeat characters populate the funny little world within Davenports verses. His vocals are distinctively smooth at times, while at others, a slightly cheeky, more dramatic baritone takes over. His patented happy/sad sensibility remains along with the occasional jazz chord.

While Episodes features Davenport on multiple instruments, he did not go it alone. Several guest musicians were crucial to the production. Drummer Graeme Gibsons casual feel graces several tracks, notably the Kinksy Its You. The samba-tinged Easy Listeners has that tropical flavor Davenports been known to dabble in, this time aided by impeccable percussionist Andres Renteria (Jose Gonzales, Rodrigo Amarante). Meanwhile, the Turkish Psych-inspired Strange Animal showcases futuristic organ riffing by Aaron M. Olson (L.A. Takedown), who produced Davenports previous album (Blue Motel by Bart & The Bedazzled). Other longtime bandmates, Jessica Espeleta (bass) and Wayne Faler (lead guitar), both make appearances.

Perhaps the standout track of the album is its quietest; the Brit-folk-styled Alice Arrives. Davenports autumnal vocal and guitar are adeptly accompanied by Dina Maccabees original string arrangement, which morphs from earnest baroque to playful modern and back again. This along with the heavier, orchestral sound of Billionaires adds a touch of hi-fi to an otherwise homemade album.