michael flynn. no disassemble. review by alan haber. buhdge

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no disassemble Michael Flynn (Self-released) (2004) Like a schooled painter, Michael Flynn knows where to apply his brush just so, so that his ideas seep into his canvas with the right amounts of density and clarity. Sounding somewhat like a meeting of the minds between Crowded House, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Van Dyke Parks, Kate Bush and David Gray, Flynn has come up with a challenging collection of a dozen sharply drawn aural portraits centered around the piano and a boatload of emotion. Getting through a complicated life with a minimum of complication is the subject of "Streamlined," a beautiful song with a captivating melody and Flynn's fragile vocal. A McCartney-esque piano part is at the heart of "Everything is Exactly What It Seems," which seems to be about trust and perception. The double-tracked vocal in the choruses is delectable, and what seems to be a banjo part is a nice, surprising touch. Exactly the opposite instrumentation you'd expect adorns "Redneck Bar," a love song chronicling the things that remind a guy about his girl; the song is a pretty straightforward, bouncy pop tune, instantly memorable, and the harmony vocals are entirely pleasing. The feelings that affect teenagers (and adults, for that matter) through the day while thinking about a true love are delineated in the quiet ballad "Moody Suburban Teenage Love Song"; Flynn's sensitive vocal brings the song home in moody style. Not the kind of music you can listen to while you're reading the paper, no disassemble requires the listener to really listen to get the full effect of the music it contains. Flynn is obviously a talent to watch; your concentration will be rewarded. Alan Haber March 27, 2005
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no disassemble
Michael Flynn
(Self-released) (2004)

michael flynn's no disassemble Like a schooled painter, Michael Flynn knows where to apply his brush just so, so that his ideas seep into his canvas with the right amounts of density and clarity. Sounding somewhat like a meeting of the minds between Crowded House, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Van Dyke Parks, Kate Bush and David Gray, Flynn has come up with a challenging collection of a dozen sharply drawn aural portraits centered around the piano and a boatload of emotion.

Getting through a complicated life with a minimum of complication is the subject of "Streamlined," a beautiful song with a captivating melody and Flynn's fragile vocal. A McCartney-esque piano part is at the heart of "Everything is Exactly What It Seems," which seems to be about trust and perception. The double-tracked vocal in the choruses is delectable, and what seems to be a banjo part is a nice, surprising touch.

Exactly the opposite instrumentation you'd expect adorns "Redneck Bar," a love song chronicling the things that remind a guy about his girl; the song is a pretty straightforward, bouncy pop tune, instantly memorable, and the harmony vocals are entirely pleasing. The feelings that affect teenagers (and adults, for that matter) through the day while thinking about a true love are delineated in the quiet ballad "Moody Suburban Teenage Love Song"; Flynn's sensitive vocal brings the song home in moody style.

Not the kind of music you can listen to while you're reading the paper, no disassemble requires the listener to really listen to get the full effect of the music it contains. Flynn is obviously a talent to watch; your concentration will be rewarded.

Alan Haber
March 27, 2005