“After nearly a decade of trying to be a decent, hard-working proletariat,” says ZACH TILLMAN, “I’ve taken up permanent residency on Deadbeat Street. And what better way to spend time there than home recording?”

Simon Raymonde at Bella Union first heard Fleet Foxes, which introduced him to J.Tillman, the band’s drummer and solo artist, which then led to Josh’s younger brother Zach. But Zach is a different species to his brother. While it’s a safe bet both appreciate Neil Young, and there are occasional moods that echo Fleet Foxes, at other times the ghost of Big Star floats up Along with a healthy dose of rock ‘n’roll classicism. For his part, Zach says his musical origins can be found in a love for Pavement’s SLANTED AND ENCHANTED, which steered him toward the Velvets and Neutral Milk Hotel, among others.

PEARLY GATE MUSIC opens with ‘Golden Funeral’ and the most spellbinding intro you’re likely to hear this year. There’s a faint, distant and ghostly instruments (that you’d have to turn up the stereo to hear) and Zack singing at slow talking pace, and sounding as though he’s under the shower, behind closed door. Then track 2, ‘The Big Escape’, kicks in and it’s as though the meter’s just been fed and upped the amps. There’s the sharpest of snare beats, a solid acoustic guitar strum and a driving rhythm as Zak’s voice arrives home from his distant journey. It’s vibrant, upbeat and a tad adventurous. ‘Navy Blues’ is a standout here that mixes dark and light with the dexterity of a Michelin chef. Ingredients include a tangible melody, astute changes of pace, and a diversity of sounds including hand-claps and hearty backing vocals. ‘Oh, What A Time’ proves how interesting and good home recordings can be. The song is stripped down to its bare essentials, while the voice is pro-tools-echoed. ‘I Woke Up’ opens with simple, enticing keyboard notes before a conversational-style vocal arrives. The song opens out with backing vocals and a minor cacophony of instruments - all very effective.

‘Daddy Wrote You A Letter’ is another standout with its hammered guitar strings; lazy, rolling drum beats (I could swear it’s Jim White….); harmonica and brass moments. The vocal is razor sharp and distant as it relays another set of great lyrics. ‘Gossamer’ opens glacially slow and then suddenly bursts into rocky and rapid life, before easing back again. The multi-layered vocal is magical with some dramatic key changes entering late in the piece. Another beauty… ‘I Was A River’ is my pick of the album with its gospel feel, up-front vocal, deathly rhythm, glacial pace, strong melody and emotional vibe. Final track ‘Rejoice’ is easily the longest song here at nearly six minutes, and it’s just as well because it’s a haunting, beautiful, moving song with a pretty special message.

This album will ensnare you after a couple of listens and keep you firmly in its grip - forever. Strongly recommended.

4/5