White - III
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 28 / 5 / 2013

Label:
Aagoo Records
Format: CD
intro
Impressive 1970's-influenced dream pop on third album from White, the moniker for Los Angeles-based musician and arts school graduate, Cory Hanson
Cory Thomas Hanson could be British or even French, yet he is an LA arts school graduate, and this already is his third album and his first since getting his degree. Hanson is a visual artist as well. His music is best described as mid-1970's carefree dream pop, and shows a knack for woven patterns that recall the beginning of synthesizer music (in Germany). He then fuses this with slightly psychedelic melodic touches. More importantly, his voice hugs the ears. Hanson's breezy and sunny modern pop composing comes off in splendid fashion on 'Pretty Creatures', which involving a steel guitar is a mixture of indie, leftfield and folkdronica. The closing track 'Building On' too is a fine example of his rather unique mish-mash pastiche. Strolling along on the slopes of his soundscapes, White's third album embraces white light, and on 'Can't Fight The Feeling' it does so to a nearly religious extent. Cory Hanson has acknowledged his admiration of John Lennon, and a few songs on the album feature finely crafted melodies indeed. On the other hand, there are plenty of film-like drama and synthesized soundscapes. The sounds have ripened but yet still have to mature. Blending folk music, pop and synths proves is quite an endeavour, and on 'III' it works out nicely. White follows in the footsteps of other Lennon fans such as Chris Stamey, Mooseheart Faith and Big Star.
Track Listing:-
1 I Wan't Afraid2 Can't Fight The Feeling
3 Friends
4 Pretty Creatures
5 Demons
6 Deep Water
7 Lost
8 Swim
9 Wet Jets
10 Building On
Label Links:-
http://www.aagoo.com/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aagoo-records/147333939795
https://twitter.com/Aagoo
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
related articles |
Jack White: Photography (2014 |
![]() |
Melanie Smith takes photographs of Jack White at the Leeds Arena on his recent UK tour |
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart