Pink Thunder

Michael Zapruder's approach is one of those things that's simultaneously perfectly pleasant and perfectly familiar. Even if saying something is "fuzzy post-Beatles refined pop one-man demi-beat experimentalism," if the 21st century is anything, it's how every niche exists, and there's always room for someone with a creative vision that happily relies on a series of fusions with a singer/songwriter core at its heart. But Pink Thunder has something extra going for it, with each song based around a lyric by a contemporary poet, a nice nod toward embracing current activity rather than, say, Sting wondering what other Shakespearean sonnets he can do things to. The result is an enjoyable if not wholly remarkable mix and match — Zapruder's embrace of a variety of poetic voices results in an engaging variety of lyrics he delivers and interprets well, while never losing them in his arrangements. But only certain songs stand out fully, as on "Pennsylvania" with his voice happily tripping over the string and harpsichord arrangements. "Birdman" is perhaps the best individual standout, as it puts together vibes and guitar and backing vocals and more nicely, a representation of the album at its strongest: when all the seemingly random elements become a fun, distinct collage in its own right.