My Room Is a Mess

The perpetual and polymorphic music machine, Rob Crow, has created yet another album full of stunning music. If you're unfamiliar with the man, by all means, check out any of his previous projects, which include Heavy Vegetable, Optiganally Yours, Thingy, Pinback, and Physics. "My Room Is a Mess," Crow's third solo effort is a nice blend of the familiar styles expressed in his other projects with a couple of surprises. His minimal pop is present ("Beyond Him") as well as some new wave ("Helicopter"). There is also some dub-based head bobbers ("Over the Summer," "Sun Froze") and what can best be described as a bleached spin on new jack R&B ("Some Things," "Overtime"). But most are minimalist (him and his acoustic) with complex rhythms, hyperactive strumming and picking, all strewn together with his soaring falsetto vocals. Certain to delight any and all of his growing fan base. "My Room Is a Mess" continues to explore the sounds and structures that have worked so well for Rob Crow and his various projects. It may not break new ground for him, but even rehashed sounds feel fresh when their precursors are yet to be rivaled.