Gary Reynolds Instant Happiness CD

Overstuffed semi-orchestral pop/rock roughly in the same stylistic ballpark as Jellyfish (sort of a third-hand rip-off of psych-era Beatles by way of Electric Light Orchestra, in other words), the debut album by Gary Reynolds & the Brides of Obscurity reveals a singer/songwriter with one heck of a record collection, a knack for big arrangements, and access to a lot of interesting musical instruments. The songs themselves, however, aren't particularly interesting; those vibrant arrangements are in the service of fairly weak, derivative melodies and inconsequential lyrics. An even larger problem is Reynolds' unappealing drawl of a voice, which detracts from the otherwise pleasant sound enough that listeners often can't simply enjoy the imaginative instrumentation on its own merits. Even those die-hard pop fans for whom the term "Beatlesque" is the highest possible musical compliment might find Instant Happiness insufficient. ~ Stewart Mason

Seattle, Washington-based songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Gary Reynolds has been making lush, orchestral classic pop under several monikers in several cities for over a decade. Reynolds eschews a specific type of creativity: unrelenting, driving, and constant. His need to create, record, play and work is infallable, and for good reason: his gift for borrowing the soaring, touching hooks of late 60s George Harrison and appropriating the whimsy of Bowie with his own distinct, often pessimistic touch of blues is undeniable. Self-produced by Reynolds and mixed by Robbie Adams (U2, Smashing Pumpkins), Instant Happiness is an instant classic, thick with gospel handclaps, piccolo trumpet, choral backups, wurlitzer, strings, singsong piano, infectious hooks and unforgettable grit. Although his work rewards repeat listens, it's all instantly connective. Electric. Immediate.