When one thinks of indie rock hot spots, Southwest Florida is not likely to come to mind. But that’s where this mysterious young project calls home. I hasten to call them a band, as it’s only one person making all of this noise. They’re called Puppets for Poets (named after an earlier single) and their debut LP is set to release on the first of December.
“California” is a warm track that will immediately call to mind Peter Buck’s Rickenbacker style. Once the accordion kicks in, a hint of The Decemberists appears. But the vocals are not going to have you clamoring for Michael Stipe or Colin Meloy. The singer’s voice (no names were listed in the bio) is a light baritone, as if Matt Berninger had been listening to a lot of Neil Diamond. He sings of a love lost, perhaps due to poor timing…
Blondes and fairytales with fuscia in my head
The pawn in an endless game whose dreams were looking dead
I was born to love you you of beauty you of grace
I was bound to be there soon but the future got away
It’s an instantly catchy number that makes one eager to hear what comes next.
This single, as well as the upcoming LP, was produced by Rich Jacques. As a music producer/songwriter he collaborated with artists such as Gold Kimono, Colin Hay, Glen Phillips, Maya Rudolph, and Peter Katz. Jacques won a Grammy in 2017 for his collaboration with Lisa Loeb on her album, Feel What U Feel.
“California” releases tomorrow, November 3rd. Boat of Dreams releases in December.
