record review: Adam Green - Minor Love

Adam Green is a sneaky son of a gun. He has the uncanny ability to trick you into believing that he is your best friend. Every time I put on his records, I slip into this reverie, like, it’s just me and Adam, hanging out. And then reality slowly sinks in.

Minor Love is his latest musical offering (numero six!) as a non-Peach and it is perfectly delightful—even though the album is chock full of less-than-cheerful songs. Lately, Adam has been channeling his quirkiness into effervescent, mellow numbers that will have you swaying along stupidly.

He has long since abandoned his early roots of mockery and guile, and actually taken to writing music seriously. Minor Love is dark at times (“Boss Inside”), and strangely Dodos-esque at others (see the supernatural combo of depressing upbeat acoustic guitars of “Don’t Call Me Uncle”) but Adam always manages to fill in the holes with his signature bubbliness.

“Buddy Bradley” is almost like a cult anthem swirled together with a beat-box. Minor Love is Adam’s ode to the great melancholy of great solo recording artists: specifically Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen. Sure, NY can get lonely, but it sure as hell makes for great song writing.

And we mustn’t forget about “What Makes Him Act So Bad”, a tune that is so deliciously VU that I just want to write Adam a gushing note of thanks. I probably should anyways, it’s the least I can do to show him my appreciation for his loyal pseudo-friendship.

Minor Love is strange. It’s wonderful. It’s Adam.

4.4/5

the album was released in Europe last week, so you can buy it online, or wait a couple of weeks for its February 16th US release. either way, make sure you pick it up! who can afford not to hear Adam singing to Gatsby?

Adam Green - Stadium Soul [mp3]