If Bon Iver is the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, this is Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters From Beverly Hills.
Joyful Noise, 2012
5.5 / 10.0
If you know the words, sing along: Kishi Bashi is the pseudonym of K Bashi, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist working in pop music who has sung backup for acts like Sondre Lerche and Regina Spektor and is now trying to break out on his own with his first full-length album, 151a. It’s an album full of flourishes and dreamy vocals and other stuff that will capture the heart of some dummy who thinks that all indie music is great. Even in its darker moments (at least, I think “I Am the Antichrist to You” is an attempt at writing dark material), 151a lacks edge and purpose, instead opting for “whimsy” and occasionally ripping off the Beach Boys.
It helps to know that Bashi hangs out with Kevin Barnes, which explains why many of these songs sound influenced by of Montreal, though I’ll give that 151a doesn’t have nearly as many problems as Paralytic Stalks. Still, though, the album is all sugar and is best consumed in small doses by folks who can get through a Zack Braff movie marathon without gagging.
![The Teardrop Explodes – Wilder [2013 Reissue] Review](http://www.earbuddy.net/wp-content/uploads/the-teardrop-explodes-wilder-reissue-50x50.jpg "The Teardrop Explodes – Wilder [2013 Reissue] Review")
