Seattle power pop outfit Telekinesis released a second album, 12 Desperate Straight Lines, February 15 via Merge. After listening to the album a dozen or so times, one can realize that Michael Benjamin Lerner (the architect of the entire Telekinesis world) has about 500 ways to write breakup, heartbreak, & lovelorn songs. What Lerner does so well, is he takes this similarity in theme and puts them into relatively fun, poppy, hooky songs that are a complete façade for these more unpleasant themes.
It’s that façade, and Lerner’s whispy, crooning yet poppy voice that make these songs so endearing. I think it’s something that everyone can relate to, sort of covering over loneliness, despair, and heartbreak. The theme is common, but like I said, the songs are so damn catchy.
Winners on the album for me were the lead single, ‘Car Crash,’ the video worth ‘Dirty Thing,’ and above all the opener ‘You Turn Clear in the Sun.’
This album is 12 simple powerpop songs there isn’t a huge amount of depth to them, they are straightforward, simple & easy to like. Some might say the simplicity and basic nature of the music is its downfall, but for my ears I had a lot of fun listening to this album.
Buy 12 Desperate Straight Lines
Telekinesis tour dates:
3/1, Omaha, NE (Slowdown Jr)
3/2, Minneapolis, MN (7th St. Entry)
3/4, Chicago, IL (Schubas)
3/5, Detroit, MI (Magic Stick)
3/6, Toronto, ON (Horseshoe Tavern)
3/7, Montreal, QC (Casa Del Popolo)
3/8, Cambridge, MA (TT the Bear’s Place)
3/9, New York, NY (Mercury Lounge)
3/10, Brooklyn, NY (The Rock Shop)
3/11, Philadelphia, PA (Johnny Brenda’s)
3/12, Washington, DC (The Red Palace)
3/13, Chapel Hill, NC (Local 506)
3/14, Atlanta, GA (The Earl)
3/22, Denver, CO (Hi Dive)
3/23, Salt Lake City, UT (Kilby Court)
3/24, Boise, ID (Neurolux)
3/26, Seattle, WA (The Crocodile)
3/27, Vancouver, BC (Media Club)
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