Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 05/04/2004
Indie rock fans who are devout readers of fine print will recognize
Todd Fancey as one of the less-hyped members of the really super supergroup
the New Pornographers. He plays guitar for them, and also played in
Limblifter with
Kurt Dahle, who's also in
the New Pornographers, and all over
Fancey's album, too. Speaking of that,
Fancey is
Todd Fancey's debut record, and fans of his day job will welcome it as they would a family member. More
soft rock than
the New Pornographers, more fixated on the '70s too, the album is nearly as hook-filled and sounds like it was built in the same factory -- a much sunnier factory -- less prone to songs about alcoholism and more likely to burst out into silly songs about
rock & roll (
"Rock N' Roll Rhythm"), or outer space (
"Dial Jupiter").
Fancey also makes more use of
Neko Case, putting
Sara Wheeler's angel-sweet vocals on every song. His songwriting doesn't quite measure up to
Carl Newman's or
Daniel Behar's, but he is certainly no slouch.
Fancey builds many of the songs around his electric piano, which gives the record a unique sound.
"Carry Me" is a perfect way to kick off the record; it's a breezy
power pop tune with an infectious chorus topped by
Fancey's soaring vocals. The rest of the record is varied, always melodic, and an often breathtaking tour through '70s
pop and more recent
indie pop. Along the way there are stops at
disco (
"Sunbright"),
soft rock balladry (the blissful
"Strayed Out" on which
Fancey and
Wheeler harmonize like the dream pairing of
Gerry Beckley and
Karen Carpenter), mellow
country-rock (
"In Town"), and
indie pop reminiscent of classic
Sarah band
the Orchids (the wistful
"Autumn Music").
Fancey is a very strong debut; its appearance makes
the New Pornographers even more impressive, like the 1929 Yankees of
indie rock, only with 100 percent less evil empire, and far better songs.
~Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
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