I honestly can say I don’t really know if I would like this album if it weren’t the very strong 80s vibe that runs throughout. But it lands a heavy influence and is what makes this what it is, and for me, why it’s so great. One review I read recently, from VICE, says Part Time’s music sounds like it comes straight out of London in 1984, and that pretty much nails it. I remember one time listening to this and was sure my iPod had strangely glitched and skipped to an album by Orange Juice called Rip It Up. However in fact it was just the track ‘Honey Lips’ from this, the new double album from Mexican Summer/Burger Records recording artist, basically a solo project from San Francisco native David Speck. I could almost say just read my review of theThree EPs collection from Dinner above, as the two albums have numerous similarities going on. If they aren’t similar to your ears, in the very least they’re both very DIY with that lo-fi “oh yeah they definitely recorded this in their house” kind of sound. Normally that isn’t my cup of tea, but with this style of music it works well. Of course 80s music is very produced, but it’s more that these people are weirdos …. mad geniuses if you will. They can’t be bothered to do it the traditional way, and just need to get the music in their heads recorded and move onto the next thing. Of course both these artists are very prolific as a result, putting out lots of recordings with every song has a different sound, feel and influence to it. From one song to the next, inspiration is all over the map, which makes this double LP such a rewarding listen. Then, it’s not hard to see that Part Time, and Dinner as well, just HAVE to be heavily influenced by the eccentric genius weirdo Ariel Pink and his Haunted Graffiti. He’s kind of the current hipster godfather – a modern day Frank Zappa or Captain Beefheart if you will – of quirky, creepy, gorgeous, eccentric pop music, and appears to have influenced a new barrage of eccentrics, with Part Time one of his closest “competitors”. The whole album is a bizarre and beautiful kaleidoscope of 80s styles, influences and sounds – just a total trip with hooks everywhere you turn. Not to be missed, this one.

Label

Burger Records