We are immensely proud to welcome ADDISON LOVE to the Big Stir Records family with the release of his debut solo album: Thoughts On Lunch?
Huntington Beach, CA native Love is a founding member of The Yorktown Lads alongside Orange County's pop maestro and his former teacher Michael Simmons (Sparkle*Jets UK) and frequent member of OC pop collective Popdudes. His first album under his own name is a collection of twelve modern pop rock gems, retro in feel but up-to-the-minute in presentation, performed and produced almost exclusively by Addison himself.
“My first teachers were John, Paul, George and Ringo”, says Love, and the track “Like The Beatles” (featuring guest vocals from Simmons) shows he's learned his craft very well. What sets Addison apart from the many other power poppers who might make the same claim is his age: despite his already impressive resume, Love turned 22 just prior to the release of Thoughts.
The absolutely infectious lead single “Wee & Nancy Lee” also displays that deep affinity with the Fab Four, and the Southern California coastal roots of The Beach Boys permeate the record as well. They're evident in the Pet Sounds-inspired arrangements and harmonies of the lovely “The Other Angels”, dedicated to Addison's wife Madison (“rhyming names for your convenience” according to the artist) and the delicate “She”. That the melodies and sentiments of the songs stand up to their inspirations is one of the album's many charms.
The record's sound isn't just rooted in the '60s, though: rockers like “Anything's Right” and the tightly wound “Blinds” evoke the whole history of hook-propelled pop rock from the heyday of The Cars to best of Fountains of Wayne. The acidic Ray Davies-worthy character sketch “The Ballad of Dr. Minard” is framed as a modern day sea shanty. And the album is peppered with intimate piano and acoustic guitar based ballads, from the opening “Just One Minute” to the deeply touching closing track “Marquita”.
Thoughts On Lunch? is more than just a promising debut – it's the sound of a young artist already well in command of his craft, spinning everyday concerns into a collection of tunes that are at once funny, moving, and instantly memorable. Big Stir Records is delighted to share it with you!
Order Addison Love: Thoughts On Lunch? here!
It's the first ever Big Stir Downtown, as the Fast Camels (Glasgow, Scotland's premiere pop-psych rockers) join The Armoires and Leslie Pereira & the Lazy Heroes, for this Shake Some Action! co-production featuring all-vinyl DJ sets from the many they can only call Power Pop Jeff. FREE as always, but bring some cash for the Big Stir Bucket to keep the Camels roadworthy as their California tour continues!
International Pop Overthrow San Francisco is always a family reunion for the artists of BSR and our friends in the global pop universe!
