The Poor Old Lu and Rose Blossom Punch vet brings us his second solo-project, The Kindest Days, quickly on the heels of last year's standout singer/songwriter pop surprise Moontraveler. His style is cemented, and the growth within that style is apparent on this disc. Stronger melodies, catchier hooks, smarter sentiments, braver progressions, and that voice – that sweet, dreamy, sensitive male with a child to prove his manhood so no need to posture gruff voice.
Beside the sumptuous, fructose injected, playful (see "Signing my Name" for some circus worthy organ frivolity), smooth yet still indie-rock approved melodies and singing, the brightest feature of this particular work is the lyrical craftwork. It's not that Aaron waxes profound. In fact, some of the themes and lines couldn't be more trite or cliche; such as the recurring issue of exploring his youth and adulthood, and the juxtaposition thereof. It is the way Aaron handles his subjects and lyrics that make them interesting. Put simply, he knows how to turn a phrase, and make even the insipid seem important. Perhaps it is the overwhelming sanguine tone with which he delivers his often melancholy thoughts, maybe the smart wordplay, or even just the fact that he sounds so darn genuine when he tells you about the "little boy who would soon be me," that makes his tales of the ordinary extraordinary. Whatever it is – and I can't for a second claim to know what it actually is – it works, and it should make you keep The Kindest Days in heavy rotation. If you missed Moontraveler don't screw up twice in a year. Intelligent, laid-back pop for saps and tuff guys who drive Jettas.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Israel KlossOrganic. It's a good label for Aaron Sprinkle's music. It's also a good description of his music. Organic. It's a good play on the lush green home state of Organic Records, Oregon. Lush is a good description of Aaron Sprinkle's sound, and his latest album, The Kindest Days, is no exception. By using fewer loops and non-unique melodies, this album exceeds the moody sounds of Sprinkle's previous…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Josh SpencerAaron Sprinkle is the greatest one-man band in the world. He continues to play everything but drums on The Kindest Days, his sophomore solo effort. It's far more consistent than his last album and finds him in a mostly mellow mood. Acoustic strumming with little picked riffs is his sound of choice, with some swells of Rose Blossom Punch lite distortion and a revival of the latter-day Poor Old Lu…Similar sounding releases
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