Fountain Park Apts. - Fountain Park Apts.

​Fountain Park Apts.

Fountain Park Apts.
self-released; 2017

​3.5 out of 5

By Dan Weston

Fountain Park Apts. is a solo project from a Portland artist who recently released a self-titled album Fountain Park Apts. The album has all the hallmarks of a lo-fi bedroom album from the production value to the limitations that those usually impose. It took him about a month to make the album. He cites Sparklehorse as one of his favorite artists and you can definitely hear that within his music. It’s evident in the music but even more so in the vocal delivery which certainly has similarities to the late Mark Linkous.

I liked the album overall. There are some solid songs. On that note I wasn't a fan of the first thirty seconds which I couldn't figure out if it was supposed to be ironic or what. It wasn't obvious. He declares that he’s back to making music which is one of the only things he’s good at and then goes on to literally give shouts out to his family. It just felt a little odd to me.

​Right around the forty-five-second mark he bursts into a great groove that is somewhere between The Beatles and Sparklehorse. I thought the song should have started there. After a choppy intro the album plays out smooth. 

There are some notable hooks throughout. “Reason4default” has a couple of infectious melodies along with what sounds like augmented radio transmissions. Melancholy is an integral component in almost all the songs. You can hear it at its best on songs like “Dribble” and “lil’ Wolfie.”

“Big Fat Russian Bride” has a decent amount of energy and is about as upbeat as he gets while the closer “Hadley’s MA” is arguably the highlight and standout track. 

For anyone familiar with Sparklehorse the similarities to Fountain Park Apts. will stand out a little too much. I think the artist should actively distance himself from that general aesthetic on his next release to not draw such obvious comparisons. 

Overall, I liked what I heard and just think he needs to carve out his own little niche which is harder than it sounds. Recommended.

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