Never underestimate the power and efficiency of simplicity and minimalism. Take for example in the subject of toking: gravity bonging (Google it or something) is one of the absolute simplest ways of smoking “the dope” (or tobacco, but I don't know who would want to hit tobacco that hard), yet thanks to the physics behind it, getting high has never felt so advanced in the past.
In terms of music, Jeremy Messersmith has mastered this art of simplicity and minimalism. His debut album The Alcatraz Kid is a perfect easy listening album based on acoustic guitars, keyboards, and light percussion; accompanied by storytelling lyrics a la Elliot Smith presented in that much desired ethereal voice of his.
There's a lot of really nice vocal melodies in this album. Actually I think “really nice” is seriously downplaying it. It's more of the kind of vocal melodies that we ache to hear on a bad day, or everyday for that matter, you know? I think it's also the perfect instrumental harmonies that he accompanies them with, adding the icing to the cake and all. Songs like 'Novocain' (undoubtedly the best song on the album) and 'Scientists' start off with simply pleasant melodies during the verse, and then move onto the most catchy and beautiful choruses that makes the listener want to hear more and more of.
The thing I love most about Jeremy though, is that he integrates certain continuous elements that are heard throughout the album which strings it together as a whole and makes it worth listening to in its entirety. The album is based mainly in major keys played with acoustic guitars, keyboards, and really awesome percussion instruments (you know, xylophones, triangles, tambourines and what not). The subjects of the songs are fairly depressing. Not the kind of sappy depressing shit that people like to brag about, but the personal things that many people can really relate to and feel good about when heard in music - a very personal feel that is quite rare.
Now I'm not saying this album is a masterpiece, as a matter of fact it does sag a bit as it gets to the end. But I can definitely tell that Jeremy has all the potential in the world to create masterpieces of all sorts. So make no mistake in looking forward to whatever Jeremy Messersmith has to offer next with his minimalistic music for such a complicated personality. Of course it certainly doesn't hurt to check out this album - especially for the melody savvy and anyone who enjoys intelligently simple music, this album can really knock you off your seat (in a really pleasant way).
