After RockFour and Shy Nobleman, here’s another proof that some serious retro-pop thing is goin’ on in Israel.
Unlike the other two acts, whose recordings are kind of a kaleidoscopic soundscapes full of studio trickery, E.T. Doolin takes a more simplistic path, leaving the spotlight on the songs themselves.
An artist that first comes to mind is his American soulmate, Eytan Mirsky, with an almost identical approach, mostly leaning on the musical legacy from the mid-‘60s backwards, while Shy and the ‘Four, having the same starting point, move towards the other direction.
Though there are a coupla tunes on the album that I can really live without, the rest of them are good enough not to let them spoil the fun.
For instance, I really have nothing against some countrified Americana influences, but Watcha Waitin’ For?!?! is more like a contemporary MOR country tune, sounding a bit out of place here.
And even though I know that it’s about the actual roots of what the main influences are here, I’m not really into listening to straight rockabilly on a moderndaze record, which is the case with Traveler and Come On, Hannah, but then again, maybe it’s just me.
What IS the reason for me liking this album after all, is the presence of tunes such as the classic Merseybeat opener I Don’t Want What I Need, a bit more eclectic mid-‘60s beat pop of Jane (even including a theremin, or at least something that sounds like one).
The Brummel-ish jangle of Why Do You Remind Me Of Someone, the gentle Everlies-harmonizing of Dreaming or the melodic folky ways of A Lie and Down, Down, which sounds almost like Ferry Cross The Mersey as if played by Nick Drake.
Being a self-release (at least it seems so), a proper distribution under the guidance of some serious label, might take this towards an international pop audience, where it belongs.
[Released by Merry Records 2003]
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