I was almost sucked in by the idea of this compilation. An Australian (Australians do it better), who calls himself an »armchair digger« whatever that’s supposed to mean, put it together. When you look at Mikey Young’s work in light of this, you have to be intrigued, expecting atmospheric private pressings. That’s reason number 1 for the pre-infatuation. Reason number 2 is that the compilation is released on Efficient Space and is intended as a ~narrative~ compilation. It’s like putting together a mixtape for a friend for a road trip. And the best vinyl mixtapes of the last few years have been released on Efficient Space, starting with »Sky Girl«, then »Ghost Riders« and finally »Searchlight Moonbeam«. So, everything about »Someone Like Me« is promising: the insert promises washed-up heroes, hobby musicians, devoted romantics from the occupied parts of England, from L.A. and Sydney. When the San Jose folk musician opens with »Jingle Jangle Morning«, listeners immediately reach into their pockets for some loose change. But after that, a lot of interchangeable stuff happens. It’s dollar-bin hippie slapdash duo, emaciated yacht rock, by and large the sort of thing you’d find better in your boomer parents’ record collection. Charles Murphy’s garage number gives the whole thing a much-needed handle, and The Superwoman with their country gospel are also good, but if you’re not a big Fleetwood Mac or Crosby Stills & Nash fan, you might not get much out of it.
Someone Like Me
