Josh Hambrock is a Brooklyn-based actor, writer, and musician. Though he also plays keys/piano in the Nashville-based collective Fire Chief Charlie, Self Storage is his debut solo album. The eight-song album was written and primarily recorded in Burbank, California. It was mixed by engineer Jason Nelson in Indianapolis using Logic Pro X, and mastered by Garfield Waltz in Chicago, Illinois. The original idea for Self Storage was born out of a need to find love, meaning and expression in a period of intense pandemic anxiety and isolation. Armed with an abiding love of music from the ‘70s, Hambrock had fun dressing those ideas up in the style of some of his favorites from that era.
The result is something between polyester and porcelain, velvet and Formica, reality and surrealism. Hambrock’s heaviest influences include The Beatles, David Bowie, The Flaming Lips, Roberta Flack, ELO, Parliament Funkadelic, Steely Dan and Thelonious Monk, to name just a few. Out of that hodgepodge of musical royalty has emerged something approaching his own sound. I think you’ll like what you hear. Additional musicians heard on the recording include Jason Nelson on rhythm and lead guitar, Jonah Malarsky on guest lead guitar (track 6, “And So”) and Justine Salata on laughing vocals (track 7, “Warpaint”). The lyrics to “Feeling Great” come off as someone not feeling so great, but Hambrock’s sound is light, fun and carefree with its ‘70s Harry Nilsson-like pop vibe. The song’s ending was the highlight for me – reminding me of the soulful sounds off Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?” “Adult Swim” has a singsong, melancholic style – somewhere between Paul McCartney and Wings and Ben Folds Five. Moving on is the album’s title track “Self-Storage (Colocynthia)” – an infectious number with warm tones and a fun, catchy rhythm. This one had a bedroom, ‘70s pop feel to it with a saxophone sound ala the keyboard. “In Development” features the softer piano/acoustic side to Hambrock’s catalog – I would say there is more emphasis on the singer/songwriter side both old and new here. Something like Bowie, McCartney or Lou Reed matched up with the Brit pop bands of the early 2000s. “Just the Minimum” is a tender number that has a strong soft rock ‘70s feel but with a more modern 21st century sound. Oh, and there’s some f-bomb surprises in here, too. Lyrically, this is a social commentary about just doing enough to get by in life (the minimum) with your job, your healthcare or your current situation. As least that’s what I got out of this tune. The next number “And So” was a trip musically. If you’ve ever heard ‘70s lounge music (ala “Midnight at the Oasis”) or are familiar with Steely Dan, then you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you’re not a fan of this type of music or the band, move along. I liked it though – a lot. I guess they call it “Dad Music” or “Dad Rock” these days. Dig it, man. This song bleeds into “Warpaint,” a pop sounding number on the edges of a bubble gum Sean Cassidy song, R.E.M.’s “Shiny Happy People,” roller derby organs and perhaps something off Brian Wilson’s “Smile” album. A great tune all around! Last is “There is Away.” Its dreamy piano/organ work reminded me very much of Bowie’s Low album and/or Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. I would recommend listening to this one for sure. I think the best lines in this tune are “Love in a dress is my favorite distress / Reminds me of the things that come undone.” Lyrically, the song’s words remind me of The Beatles “All You Need is Love” or perhaps it has some of the spirit of Lennon’s message to Yoko is his love song “Love.” That said, I thought this closer was an enjoyable listen. The baroque/bedroom pop/classic ’70s style of Josh Hambrock’s Self Storage, with its warm and well calculated, old school sounding production should satisfy listeners who grew up with this kind of music, and hopefully turn on some newcomers, too.
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