Knox Bronson's Pop Down The Years

Music-Reviewer.com

March 2009 Music-Reviewer.com

Knox Bronson's Pop Down The Years

By Heather Gioia
Intern

Artist Knox Bronson

Title Pop Down The Years

Label Tangerine Sky Records

Rating 5 out of 10

Prepare for a musical high. Knox Bronson’s Pop Down The Years is an experience unlike any other.

With a voice comparable to David Bowie, English musician, actor, record producer and arranger, Bronson has fused melody, rhythm, organic style and electronic style together to produce brightly colored modern and classical pieces.

Pop Down The Years starts with the simple up-beat electronic track, Hey Little Earthgirl that will brighten up any day. With a driving beat, Bronson puts his lyrical and electronic magic to work, accentuating the lyrics through a vocal distortion. The lyrics match the electronic style of song, “Hey little Earthgirl I think your fantastic, intergalactic, Hey little Earthgirl, electronic where I’m taking you its supersonic.” Be prepared to hum Hey Little Earthgirl for the rest of the day.

Bronson continues to distort his Bowie-esque vocals in Old Man Cold Man which features a much slower and relaxing beat along with a mellow pop sound. Also notable is 3 Seconds Before Maia Smiled which begins with an interesting electronic, asian-sounding beat that slowly transforms into another relaxing mellow pop sound.

Using electronics to set the mood, Bronson brings more energy to Bordertown then you'll find on 90% of the other tracks as he sets the stage for a mid-album pick up.

Taking a break from his Bowie-like vocals, Bronson distorts his vocals in a whole new way to create the unearthly electronic sound in Stay. Sit back and prepare to visit a far out place with one of the most relaxing, yet far out sounds you have ever heard. The almost six minute track is one you can put on and go about things while the mellow electronic sounds play in the background, or sit back and listen to the lyrics and unique style. Either way, Stay is one of hte more pleasurable listens on the album.

Proving his songwriting, arrangements and use of electronics is nearly endless, the do-it-all Bronson’s Pop Down The Years is an nearly endless mixture of one-of-a-kind sounds.

Ending with less reliance on the electronics, the album closes with its title track, a calming, enjoyable explanation for the title.

If you find yourself in a bad mood, pop in Knox Bronson’s Pop Down The Years, sit back and maybe play a game or chat on your laptop, but in the end... just relax. Before you know it your blood pressure and pulse will lower and everything will somehow feel okay. And if that doesn't work for you, put Pop Down the Years away and listen to something else for a while... then come back to it like I did. Chances are, Bronson’s unique sounds are bound to grow on you.