Listen To: Soltero’s You’re No Dream LP

If you’re going to front or be the sole member of an acoustic folk outfit then you need to either be absolutely prodigious (see: Dylan) or you need to have readily noticeable faults such as an oddly tuned voice (see: John Darnielle). Of course, you need other attributes like a sharp tongue, quick wits, and interesting music, but the former is necessary just for fans to get their foot in the door. An acoustic guitar is the easiest way to present one’s homemade tunes and if something doesn’t set an artist apart they’ll become lost in the mire of the “singer/song-writer” labeling.

Soltero does just that with his imperfect voice (Sinkhole), genuine and creatively constructed lyrics of unrequited love (Wedding Ring, Lemon Car), and diverse music choices (Fete de Feu, Along the Wire).

The album moves quickly with three tracks that seem to stand out as the most approachable pop songs and serve as markers of progress through the album. Out at the Wall is undeniable and difficult to not immediately fall in love with. Wedding Ring pops out in the middle of the album with Howard’s proclamation of love to a married woman and he ends the album with Lemon Car, an ode to a lemon which he loves even for its misgivings and implications of roadway sabotage.

Beyond the three catchiest tracks Howard included three instrumental tunes (Fete de Feu, Along the Wire, Living in the Fish Island) which serve well to break up any potential monotony created by the minimalism sometimes associated with a man and his guitar – well, a man, his guitar, and background studio instrumentation. The instrumental tracks work nicely especially Living in Fish Island which has cheerful bells that make for interesting juxtaposition with Prick on the Prowl – arguably the album’s darkest track.

The album works well as a whole and has some great little songs that are impossible not to join a long in song with. And as I’ve said before, that’s the appeal of Howard’s live performance. He act’s as if he’s alone at his computer yelling/singing into his inanimate computer monitor. That enthusiasm is less apparent on the record, but it’s still apparent enough to have you hollering at your own computer.

Soltero – Lemon Car

Soltero’s You’re No Dream will be released by La Société Expéditionnaire on May 20^th. Buy.

Tour Dates:

05/02 – Cafe de la Dance : Paris, France

05/03 – Quelque Part : Rouen, France

05/15 – L’Espace Tatry : Bordeaux, France

05/24 – Caf & Diskaire : Lille, France

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