Lee’s Listening Stack – Jared Mees & The Grown Children – ‘Only Good Thoughts Can Stay’
Lee Zimmerman
Posted On May 23, 2011
Jared Mees & The Grown Children
Only Good Thoughts Can Stay
Tender Loving Thoughts
If ever an album delivered on its title, Only Good Thoughts Can Stay is indeed the one. Jared Mees and company proffer jaunty rhythms, a carefree attitude and enough unabashed exuberance to make even an initial encounter suggest there’s cause for further indulgence. Backed by a band that seems more the freewheeling conglomerate, Mees possesses a vocal swoon and casual saunter that often brings Ray Davies to mind, a style that’s especially conspicuous on tracks like the jittery “Hungry Like a Tiger” and “Inaudible Song” where the band indulges in no small amount of wooziness and whimsy. Likewise, when this otherwise offhanded ensemble manages to build momentum, as reflected through the swelling flourish of “Even Little Mountains” in particular, then Mees performs the role of a perennial cheerleader who elevates the activity. The mood is mostly nonchalant throughout – the exception coming in the form of the hyper “Graverobbers” and the aforementioned “Even Little Mountains” – suggesting that the good thoughts are not only being sustained, but actually encouraged to linger longer. – Lee Zimmerman
Lee Zimmerman is a contributor to a variety of publications, including Blurt, M Music & Musicians, New Times, Goldmine and Amplifier
This review appears courtesy of Amplifier, 50,000 Watts of Non-Stop Indie Rock http://amplifiermagazine.blogspot.com/
