Floating Action is the brain child and pseudonym of Seth Kauffman, and this self-titled release is extremely varied and in places very good.
Kauffman has written, performed, produced and recorded virtually everything on this, which is no mean feat when you look at the breadth of the arrangements. The lyrics are quite good in a quirky way, and the overall feeling is that this bears some comparison with Jonathan Richman, with unaffected laid back vocals. There are certain musical similarities with some of the slower, softer Velvet Underground tracks, and this adds to its appeal.
The starter ’50 Lashes’ starts off with a reggaefied beat, choppy surf guitar, and even a bit of gospel style chorus, which might be a weird blend, but it works.
‘Marie Claire’ is a 1950’s style love song with some Velvets like fuzz guitar and laid back drawling lyrics “Oh, Marie Claire, Ambitious as the next working woman, I could not be without my Marie Claire”. Somewhere else, this may sound trite, but here, it shines through with a wide-eyed innocence, and hope, making this a clear stand out track, definitely single material.
‘To Connect’ is again a slow ballad, with a tinge of country, and again reminiscent of tracks on the Velvet Underground’s third album.
‘Edge of the World’ is a lovely country ballad with some clever lyrical touches: “A whirlpool is draggin’ us both, Under the continent-shelf.I’d explore it with you in a second, But I still can’t breathe underwater.”
|
‘Don’t Stop (Loving Me Now)’ is a ballad with an organ-based melody, and direct lyrics: - “Don’t stop loving me now, ‘Cause I’m trying to forget my dreams of you.”
‘Cinder Cone’ (Part 1) mixes Rock ‘n’ Roll guitar with a bossa nova beat, and is likeable, however ‘Cinder Cone’ (Part 2) is a sitar based reprise which outstays its welcome.
‘Could You Save Me?’ is another slow organ-fuelled ballad, which again is laid back (which seems to be a feature of this album).
The closing track ‘Pills to Grind’ mixes a bit of blues with a reggae beat and works as a good ending to this album.
On balance, this is an album that varies between very good and average. The ballads are near perfect, but the overall feeling is that the whole thing is too laid back, and you just wish that Seth Kauffman would step outside his comfort zone on a track or two. Hopefully on his next outing he will show us the true range of his obvious abilities.
|
