The Opposite Is Also True

Backed by longtime friends in Julie Doiron as well as some bandmates in the Wooden Stars, Michael Feurstack's project is very highbrow in its pop sensibilities and general college rock aura. The duet on "Daylight" with Doiron is fragile before evolving into a tender, swerving pop/alternative country tune. "What could be more boring than a boy in love/All dressed up and murderously styled?," Feurstack sings over a piano-propelled arrangement. Divided into two albums, a good portion of the first concentrates on barren acoustic backdrops, with Feurstack's sweet vocals soothing the frayed nerves after a night on the town. "Everything Is Natural" breaks the streak with its brand of electro-pop and samples. It's a mixed result at its best and a bit over the top at its worst. Another plus is how melancholic the music appears, including the unnerving "Three Nights," which has an early Pink Floyd characteristic to it. One confusing aspect is the liner notes, which show a repeated track listing for the second disc. Although the songs are lyrically identical, the music is extremely more upbeat and up-tempo, particularly "A Matter of Time." Doiron takes the lead vocals in other songs also, which is a warming change of pace. "Postcards and Movie Stills" is another example of the alternate version being superior to the first offering.