John Vanderslice

Pixel Revolt

[3/5] John Vanderslice splits his fifth album between subtle autobiographical numbers and instrumentally incongruous fictional reflections on death and disappointment. With its smooth synthesizers and floating falsetto, “Plymouth Rock”-the “get me out of here” plea of a dying, disillusioned soldier-recalls Sade more than it does Springsteen. Alternately, “Peacocks In The Video Rain” details a seemingly benign pop-star stalker’s vicarious obsession, with only a sparsely scored post-chorus interrupting the perky piano procession. Vanderslice’s detached delivery of this riveting material, combined with the somnolent string arrangements, makes Pixel Revolt feel like a chilled-out remix of a book-on-tape reading. (BARSUK) Andrew Miller