White - III

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 28 / 5 / 2013

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Review

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 Afraid
2 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

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