Setting Sun - Fantasurreal

  by Andrew Carver

published: 17 / 2 / 2010

Label: Young Love Records
Format: CD

intro

Pleasant folk pop on second album from Setting Sun, the project of New York State-based musician, Gary Levitt

Setting Sun’s ‘Fantasurreal’ is a pleasantly loping summer album created by Gary Levitt (with a little help from his friends), full of pleasant acoustic melodies laden with plenty of pastoral charm and dreamy singing. ‘Driving’ speeds out of the garage on a bumping beat and a bouncing synth line surrounded by playful squiggles and Levitt’s easygoing vocals. ‘Make You Feel’ has a similar headshaking groove, provided by ‘Big Comfy’ Couch Kolding’. Indeed, the drumming – mostly Kolding, but also Johnny Pancake on three numbers – is one of the album's strongest features. Other hands provide a bit of trumpet here and there, backing vocals (Lawrence Roper does a lot of heavy lifting here) and a little songwriting help. Erica Quitzow, who Levitt sometimes backs as a bassist, provides violin and cello on several tracks to good effect. There’s a bit of A.C. Newman in Levitt’s voice, and like the New Pornographers Setting Sun serves up plenty of pop hooks. Some may also hear similarities to West Coast popsters Young and Sexy when a female voice accompanies Levitt. The album’s 10 brisk tracks (they clock in under 36 minutes in total) conjure sunny skies, bountiful fields made for frolic. ‘Fantasurreal’ is a pretty sure bet for anyone who fancies folky pop along the lines of the Pernice Brothers, Monroe Mustang, or Maggi, Pierce and E.J.

Track Listing:-