Philadelphia Weekly

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On the Record: John Doe, Active Child, Fool's Gold & More

Album reviews in 30 seconds or less.

By Bill Chenevert

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Aug. 17, 2011

John Doe  

Keeper 

(Yep Roc) 

Sounds Like: An original X member, he’s taken things in a country/roots rock direction, and this is all that and more. 

Free Association: 57 and still churning out records that don’t suck—bully, ole man! 

For Fans Of: The Sadies, Gram Parsons x A. A. Bondy,  good ole boys, rock legends. 

Jacuzzi Boys 

Glazin’ 

(Hardly Art) 

Sounds Like: Glam rock Miami boys’ second on Sub Pop’s little sister is a strong, albeit retro-influenced, crunchy and shiny scuz rock gem that’s a scoche surf punk. 

Free Association: Lyric’s aren’t the focus, unless you’re real into girls, A/C and boners. 

For Fans Of: They obvs love X and Television, Bowie x Smith Westerns, the ’Glades. 

Active Child 

You Are All I See 

(Vagrant) 

Sounds Like: The excellent debut from Pat Grossi, a young former choirboy (his falsetto’s KILLER), making synthy, beat-based creations of electronic bedroom dreams. 

Free Association: The “How To Dress Well” track’s insane; but the whole thing’s sick. 

For Fans Of: a-ha x New Order + Austra, James Blake,  raising the emo-electro bar. 

Fool’s Gold 