Search - Jim Noir :: Tower of Love

Packs quite a punch in the songwriting department

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 02/15/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An intoxicating blend of Brian Wilson-like vocals and Beatles-esque back beats. It packs quite a punch in the songwriting department for a mellow album."

Key of Catchie, Key of Cheeky

Brian Tepper | PA | 04/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is absolutely no other record like this out (until he puts out the followup). Never has anyone so successfully multitracked his voice to recreate Beach Boy Pet Sound glory. Few have approached childlike ponderings in his simple whimsical lyrics. He keeps them far simpler than Syd Barrett while still retaining the "Pspirit", so to speak. Never once is there a hint of bitterness in the lyrics, nodding to another influence, Nick Drake, keeping judgements for other fall-apart troubadors. The boastful threats in 2 of the catchiest songs, Eanie Meanie and My Patch, are kept from contentiousness by maintaining the playful, jovial deliveries.



If high fructose corn syrup can be inserted in musical notes to enhance flavor and stick with you forever, Noir has found a way, and all by his lonesome in his upstairs flat often on his computer (hence, one of the cheeky allusions he makes in the title, TOWER of Love). I Me You I'm Your, Key of C and Turbulent Weather cheer up the most weathered cynics. Best recomend you give each song a day or 2 before moving on to the next so as not to be to overwhelmed then take it in full because even the sequence of the songs enhances the listening experience.



Psychiatrists may consider prescribing this instead of Xanax for their incurables. Corporations have found his colorful freak beats and candy coated vocals perfect enough to sell sneakers and discount department stores. As for us dear listeners, we have a perfect soundtrack for driving home in a thunderstorm after a terrible day at the job or on the dole, only to have the sun peak through to get in a walk in park before getting home to tea."

Mellifluous Moods

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""My Patch" seems to be a funky melodious invitation to danger with hypnotic bouncy road trip appeal. There are elements of the Beatles and Nick Drake mixed with a more edgy electronica. "I Me You I'm Your" seems to filter in from space like a psychedelic haze and then leaves just as quickly.



"Computer Song" cascades over itself with creative lyrics and a melodious tension. If someone in a tribal forest was riding on a train it might sound like "Tower of Love" but then suddenly you are on a carousel going round and round and a circus appears with a soft orchestral appeal. It is difficult to define a category for some of the songs, but this one has an especially magical innocence.



"Key of C" is unexpected but expands the sound in bubbles within bubbles of acoustic appeal. "Climb a Tree" has interesting waterfalls (you hear then again in Turbulent Weather) and explores guitar within an especially beautiful ballad with mellifluous moods. This is an album you can put in the CD player and listen to without a worry in the world. If you love Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, The Beach Boys or The Beatles, you might really fall in love with this sound.



~The Rebecca Review"