elliott smith either or expanded allmusic

The album shows a consistent affinity for time-tested techniques, but Brill isn’t afraid to capitalize on the expanded palette afforded by modern technology, dipping in electronic affectations that allow his abundant creativity to flourish. The album is like a montage of matchbook paintings, full of small treasures that by blinking you may risk missing. The result is a demure opus that serves as a testament to the enduring potency of classical pop songwriting. For New Pagan Love Song, Brill also took the roles of producer and engineer, affording himself increased creative freedom. In the years since, he’s helmed a formidable if not yet widely recognized solo career.

As a member of the San Francisco-based Envelope, he endured the tension of a major-label bidding war, which wore on the band and ultimately led to their dissolution. New Pagan Love Song is the New York-native’s third fulllength effort, but to most listeners it will serve as his introductionĬoy artists such as Brill often suffer from the attention-grabbing exploits of their lesser contemporaries. They stand out like TV antennae in an electric storm, inviting critical rejection and the inevitable backlash of the fickle scenesters who often comprise their fanbase.Ī demure opus that serves as a testament to the enduring potency of classical pop songwriting… virulently catchy…īut if the Ben Kwellers of the genre take the easy route to notoriety in an overpopulated field, where does that leave the Paul Brills? Brill is a harmless bloke– too good to be dragged down by his loudmouth peers and too modest to do anything about it. Some artists thrive on winsome personalities, cunningly distracting listeners from the music with their stylistic excess. Considering the morass of feckless singer/songwriters, quality artists are like exotic treasures and their presence has been so marginalized that fans often lack the know-how to separate the grist from the mill. Engaging piano pop balladry is a commodity rendered rare through excess.

Elliott smith either or expanded allmusic