Nyles Lannon reviewed
Nyles Lannon
Pressure
(Badman)
Nyles Lannon’s role in his day band Film School seems clear — textures, textures, textures.
On his sophomore solo outing, Lannon returns to moods and shading. Clearly enthralled with vocal harmonies proffered by The Beatles’ “Because” and Elliott Smith (who has covered said song), the shy songsmith intentionally makes the sounds emanating from his mouth feel wordless and hazily inarticulate, if not deceptively threatening (“I can see right through you”). He’s so gauzy at times that if he were a shit lyricist — which he’s not — he could actually get away with it. But Pressure is no fun until it unbuckles its traditional rock straps and plays with the folktronica hinted at on his debut. The mountainous “Slipping” builds a panoramic perch into sound-melding atmospheres, but not until “Better With Nothing” begins to fall apart does Pressure avail itself of Lannon’s full faculties. “Old Sam” gradually tunnels and leaves its percussion to fight for air, while the inside-out “Elephant Song” stumbles triumphantly.
— Steve Forstneger
Click here to download “Next Obsession.”
Nyles Lannon actually quit Film School over a year ago.
His solo work is so great!! Pressure is a fantastic follow up to the beautiful Chemical Friends, demonstrating his depth and diversity as a songwriter.