Anton Barbeau - King Of Missouri

by Andrew Carver

published: 8 / 4 / 2003

Label: Woronzow
Format: CD

intro

"Stellar display of psychedelic power-pop" on sixth album of solo material from ace powerpop producer, Anton Barbeau, who has worked with Robyn Hitchcock and Julian Cope

Anton Barbeau has been producing ace powerpop influenced by early 1980s artists like Robyn Hitchcock and Julian Cope, and shows no sign of surrendering his knack with the sixth album of his own material (not counting his two 'Anthology' compilations of odds'n'ends). Although Barbeau is the star of the show, fans of the Bevis Frond will want to pick this CD up as well, since in addition to releasing it on their Woronzow label, Nick Saloman, Ade Shaw and Andy Ward provide the musical backing. Their work on 'Octagon', in particular, is very Bevisite — although that may be because the song has the same melancholic feel as much of Saloman’s best work. Even those unfamiliar with the members collective or individual work will, however, have to agree they’re an ideal combination of skill and sympathy. Barbeau’s raspy warble swerves from solidly melodic to slightly strangled on the title track; breathy and coy on 'Sweet Creature, What’s Your Name?'; and panicky and fey on 'The Clothes I Want To Wear'. A wry lyricist, Barbeau has a good line in domestic affairs and day-to-day living, as in 'I Remember Everything' and 'It’s Okay, Maybe' and the relationship-ender 'I’m Always Offending My Sensitive Friends.' A stellar display of psychedelic power-pop.

Track Listing:-

1 King of Missouri
2 Sweet Creature, What's Your Name?
3 Octagon
4 The Clothes I Want to Wear
5 I Remember Everything
6 It's Okay, Maybe
7 I'm Always Offending My Sensitive Friends
8 Cheque's in the Mail
9 I Don't Like You
10 Sylvia Something
11 Retabulation
12 Motor

Band Links:-

http://www.antonbarbeau.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Anton-Barbeau-10967397005/

profiles

Profile (2007)

American pop anglophile has recently had re-released on Pink Hedgehog Records two of his albums, 1995's 'Waterbugs and Beetles' and last year's 'Drug Free'. Andrew Carver examines both of them

favourite album

In the Village of the Apple Sun (2008)

Anton Barbeau - In the Village of the Apple Sun

Andrew Carver examines eccentric Sacramento-based musician Anton Barbeau's psychedelic and uniquely distinctive 2006 album, 'In the Village of the Apple Sun'