A Burst of Telekinesis!
You’d never tell from the opening track, Rust, but Telekinesis’ first album is a reverie of energy and 80s poppish rock. Coast of Carolina unwinds with the same atmospheric tone before opening to a technicolor dream, one of a distant love. The jerky rhythm of Tokyo is reminiscent of an early video, shot in neon washed city streets, with quick shots of happy teenagers and their gadgets.
Telekinesis, in the vein of countless other bands (Voxtrot instantly comes to mind among contemporary artists) trades in bubbly pop rhythms masked behind lo-fi production values. Delicate harmonies and melodies rule the day, as in the plinking piano melody of Awkward Kisser. In that song, the melody serves as a stand-in for the awkward teenager that is the subject of the song; a tense, non-adjusted scamp. Similarly, Imaginary Friends has a simple hook that dances with the same whimsy as the writer does with his childhood imaginary friends.
It’s good to see personal storytelling continue to drive modern power pop. As in Awkward Kisser, Coast of Carolina, and Imaginary Friends, Calling All Doctors weaves a tale just under the surface. In this case, it’s about being so anxious that the heart starts twitching. But, like the album, it works out.