REVIEWS

Indiepages (USA): Here's the second release from this fine new label in Peru (and one that's already off to a great start, having even more fine releases ready since this one!), and it contains three new songs from one of my favorite acoustic popkids around today, Desmond Reed! Though he adds some keyboards in a couple spots, these are all rather sparse arrangements, with just an acoustic guitar and multi-tracked vocals. But I kind of have to wonder if Desmond is wanting a full band behind him; I can easily see "Dizzy" and "No More Room" turning into Weezer-ish rock tunes with a pop edge. What I find really funny is that though Desmond hasn't released too much to date, everything he's done so far has been on 3" cd (with this, as well as releases on Wee Pop! and Cass-et-tape), though he does have a full length album coming soon on Series Two - watch this space, I'm sure... 

Fensepost (USA): Desmond Reed is a mystery. The clues are few. It’s a he, he resides in Massachusetts, and he shares his name with a USC Trojan football player. So I guess it’s a little surprising that his music is not a mystery. The messages are clear and honest and simple and, at times, a little strange. At least that’s what can be gathered off his three-song, three-inch CD-R out now on Susy Records, The Window Shopping EP.

Reed’s music is harmonic and acoustic, filled with simple melodies and fun lyrics. The title track is easily the high point on this mini-release thanks to the inclusion of the occasional synth. Like the two that follow, “Dizzy” and “No More Room” respectively, “Window Shopping” is an immensely catchy tune. “Dizzy” comes close to rivaling the opener and includes harmony vocals.

None of these three tunes are exclusive; in fact, they can be found in the same order as the first three tracks off 10 Acoustic Demos, which was released recently on Series II Records. But, it’s a sweet little pop release nonetheless. And its Peruvian origination makes it a hot little item any indie-pop collector would love.

Eardrums (Norway): Desmond Reed is the man behind the first of these EPs, with his “The Window Shopping EP”. His jangly acoustic pop songs work very good in this format, and for me at least 2 of the 3 songs will be played over and over again on my stereo. If you’re interested in both indiepop and sports (like Desmond Reed is), you should listen to the songs he made for every single player on the Boston Red Sox team.

360º de separación(Spain): Tremendo descubrimiento el de este cantautor norteamericano seducido por el sonido de la acústica y las melodías de Weezer. Window Shopping es un verdadero hit que se ha convertido en una de esas canciones que no podemos parar de tararear en los últimos meses. Guitarras tocadas con decisión, letras divertidas, algunos toques de sintetizador y unos coros perfectos ayudan a que nuestra curiosidad en este hombre se desate. Dizzy y No More Room completan el conjunto siguiendo el camino marcado por el tema titular del Ep., cada una con su particular estilo, la primera más seria, la segunda más completa y contagiosa, con unos coros modestos pero efectivos. En resumen, un artista recién descubierto para nosotros al que sin duda vamos a seguir la pista a partir de ahora.