Fred Thomas

Sink Like A Symphony

[3.5/5]

Arriving a few months in advance of the next Saturday Looks Good To Me release, frontman Fred Thomas’ first widely available solo disc is ample indication of his prolificacy. No mere throwaways, tracks such as country-tinged “Apples On The Floor” and the rapturous “Holland Tunnel,” with its jangle-pop guitar and horns, are as rich and vibrant as SLGTM. The latter is an album highlight which tells the charming tale of a girl who snaps Polaroids of every lover, and combines with the Guided By Voices-tinged “Wet As A Cloud” and the infectious (if subtly disturbing) “Fire” for an entertaining first half. The disc’s quirky singer/songwriter ethos recalls the Microphones, fueled by Thomas’ guileless open heart; he even plays a protective Casper on “Susceptible To Ghosts,” whose folk strum and dry humor recalls the Mountain Goats. While hindered by an uneven last third, there’s enough gold among the dross to appeal to anyone who appreciates savvy pop. (CORLEONE) Chris Parker