Gonzalez likes brief, poppy melody driven songs, whether he’s bouncing on his keyboards for “Trampoline” or the more languid acoustic guitar strumming of “I Want to Hold You,” which features a tight, crisp electric solo. Both songs time out just over the two-minute mark, and the albums 3 light pop instrumentals are shorter still. “You Make It Hard (To Be Unhappy),” is an acoustic folk number with Everly Brother styled harmony lead vocals, but the somewhat predictable double entendre is a bit too cute.
Given the heavier, political content in Patterson Hood’s songs for his main gig in DBT, it feels like Gonzalez has turned to this solo effort to play the punchy power pop of “Need You Round” or a light piano pop of “Never Felt Bad,” which again has a nice bright electric guitar solo. Clearly, Back to the Hive, for this singer/songwriter is about “feeling good,” and it’s pleasant enough that his listeners will to.
Brian Q. Newcomb
For more of Brian Q. Newcomb’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
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