Episodes is Bart Davenports eighth solo album and was recorded on his home studio in Los Angeles. The highlight of this album for me is when he tries to prove Dan Stuart wrong, but more about that shortly.
From the gentle acoustic opener, It's You we are clearly in sun dappled gentle psychedelic pop world, in this case a song of love and hope that your affection will be returned, as the acoustic guitar in places takes some odd turns this is rather affectionate.
Holograms has some nice wry lyrics and a cool gentle backing that has some very weird percussion and what sounds like a dog panting every once in a while, as Bart hopes that he doesn't get fooled again.
Alice Arrives is a love song that has a very Nick Drake style feel, it's starkly beautiful as the strings weave in and out of the repeating guitar figure. Easy Listeners has the sound of Easy listening radio stations of the early to mid-1970's I almost expect him to start going up up and away in his beautiful balloon, rather than drifting along as gently as this does.
Billionaires is a song asking questions as to what the Billionaires really do with all that money, the anger and bile at the songs core is encompassed within a gentle acoustically strummed Anti-folk song with gorgeous strings.
All Dressed In Rain is perfect for a rainy day walk although not the sort of Hurricanes Bart sings about, more a gentle drizzle.
Naked Man is standing outside causing a commotion by being an advocate for being nude everywhere he can, this could easily be about the guy who always turned up at London night clubs naked and then barely ever spoke to anyone. Having known a few nudism enthusiasts, they are always a touch odd and this song feels a bit too straight for a nudist anthem. Now when will I get to pose for another nude photo shoot it's been a while.
Strange Animal has a cool 60's psychedelic feel for this most unusual love song with some very Procul Harum style keyboards as he tries to convince said strange Animal that he really does see the world the same way they do.
Wireless Moon is a tribute to the sort of wonderful woman who shares their record collection with you. This takes a wondrous turn when it turns out she broadcasts the songs of Green On Red on her radio show, that deeply seduces Bart. The truly fantastic part of this is that Dan Stuart of Green On Red always offers to buy a beer for any women under 30 who show up at his concerts, he has often wondered why almost all of the band's fans are men. Now I'm just left wondering if he was seduced by Cheap Wine, Gas Food And Lodging or was it more a case of Here Comes The Snakes.
99 Forever is a bright and sprightly tune that's in no way flaky, as it's dreams of ice cream on a hot summers day are evoked on a cool instrumental with an Italianate feel to it.
Creatures In Love has some lovely harmony vocals evoking the love he feels, now that everything's working out and the lady with the Green On Red records has moved in and changed his life, as the upbeat guitar solo of desire unfurls, as they get to discuss which member of Green On Red has the best solo career and other passionate subjects.
The album closes with Still Life a song that revels in the joy of things remaining the same unchanging and wondering how good things can be if your life is like a Still Life painting.
Find out more at https://www.tapeterecords.de/artists/bart-davenport https://www.facebook.com/bartandthebedazzled
