Anton Barbeau - Guladong
by Andrew Carver
published: 3 / 3 / 2004
Label:
Pink Hedgehog
Format: CD
intro
New record from "the pop king of Sacramento", Anton Barbeau, which unfortunately is let down by its poor production
Anton Barbeau, the pop king of Sacramento, has returned with the follow-up to 2002’s 'The King of Missouri' — and unfortunately 'Guladong' looks pale beside its predecessor. 'King' was recorded at Gold Dust Studios in Walthamstow with members of British psychedelicists the Bevis Frond. By comparison, half of Barbeau’s latest is just the man himself. On other tracks he’s joined by drummer Brad Cross; a smattering of other guests help out on a track each. Barbeau is the same playful, horny purveyor of twisted pop — slightly in the Robyn Hitchcock mode, or a straightfaced Tall Dwarves — and Cross is a perfectly capable accompanist, but 'Guladong' still sounds like a demo. The primary culprit in this case is the “wee digital 8-track” used for production. Instead of the creative spark generated by the interaction of musicians, you get the inspiration-sapping effect of a performer playing with himself (err ... so to speak). Cross’s drum sound is also cruelly treated by the dry digital sound and is reduced to a sad clatter on several tracks. Barbeau fans will likely still enjoy it, as his songwriting skills are still present and accounted for, but for newcomers it’s easier to recommend something from his extensive back catalogue.
Track Listing:-
1 Telephones And Singalongs2 You Look Good In Yellow
3 Grapes On A Plate
4 It Won't Be Long Till The Banjo Patrol Comes Along
5 Stewart Mason
6 Ruth From Leeds
7 I'm Just A Country Girl
8 Keep My Face Clean
9 The Prince Of Chairs Has The Happiest Dream In The
10 Mahjong Dijon
11 Chinese Boots Of Spanish Leather
12 Guladong
13 King Of Missouri 2
14 K's Wet Whistle
Band Links:-
http://www.antonbarbeau.com/https://www.facebook.com/Anton-Barbeau-10967397005/
Label Links:-
http://www.pinkhedgehog.com/https://en-gb.facebook.com/Pink-Hedgehog-Records-195934540420844/
http://www.last.fm/label/Pink+Hedgehog+Records
https://www.youtube.com/user/PinkHedgehogRecords
Have a Listen:-
profiles |
|
Profile (2007) |
|
| American pop anglophile has recently had re-released on Pink Hedgehog Records two of his albums, 1995's 'Waterbugs and Beetles' and last year's 'Drug Free'. Andrew Carver examines both of them |
favourite album |
|
In the Village of the Apple Sun (2008) |
|
| Andrew Carver examines eccentric Sacramento-based musician Anton Barbeau's psychedelic and uniquely distinctive 2006 album, 'In the Village of the Apple Sun' |
soundcloud
reviews |
|
Stranger (2023) |
|
| Enjoyably varied blend of pop, rock, psychedelia and Anglophilia from prolific American underground artist Anton Barbeau |
| Empire of Potential (2011) |
| The Automatic Door (2008) |
| King Of Missouri (2003) |
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