One Track Mind

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James Milne is a bit of an unsung journeyman in the indie rock world. If there is such a thing as “paying your dues” in a world where buzz builds overnight across the blogosphere, Milne has done things the old-fashioned way: he has been a member of The Ruby Suns, The Reduction Agents, and The Brunettes, and has helped Okkervil River bring their studio recordings to live audiences as a touring member. Under the alias of Lawrence Arabia, Milne is about to get his much deserved share of the spotlight with Chant Darling, his solo debut slated for a March 9th release by Bella Union–the label founded by Cocteau Twins Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie, and responsible for “discovering” Beach House and Midlake, among others.

Among the ten tracks on the New Zealander’s premiere is “Apple Pie Bed,” a majestic example of classic pop songwriting that draws influence as much from The Shirelles and The Marvelettes as it does from T. Rex and Big Star. Its muted, opening guitar riff offers nods to “My Girl,” but when the distorted guitars join in, things become more David Bowie than sock hop. This jovial counterbalance–one premised on musical reverence and delivered earnestly, with nary an ironic wink in sight–serves as Lawrence Arabia’s mission statement, reflecting a well-roundedness also illustrated by the variety of places in which the album was recorded: London, Stockholm, Auckland. Both traditional and fresh, “Apple Pie Bed” piles on heaps of swooning vocal harmonies, handclaps and tambourines, and just a touch of the romantic melodrama which used to be such a part of popular music.