Makeshift Sunshine - Makeshift

Makeshift Sunshine

Makeshift
self-released; 2015

3.8 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Makeshift by Makeshift Sunshine is essentially one single guy named Thomas (I don’ t have a last name so don’t ask). His friend Michael helps out on drums. Thomas has been writing and recording music for fifteen years. He writes pop songs that remind me of why pop can be so good if given the right ingredients. He sounds like a more upbeat version on Elliott Smith. I love it.

What makes Makeshift is the way the songs are delivered. Thomas has such a non-threatening voice that contains shades of melancholy and optimism. Perhaps the most attractive thing about his singing is that it feels that he isn’t trying too hard to be noticed. It feels as if he doesn’t need the spotlight on him when he’s singing. In fact he  rather it be focused on the drummer so people would stop awkwardly staring at him.  

I’m not sure how you could not fall in love with the first track “Rocky.” It’s ridiculously infectious and will at the very least put a grin on your face and at the very most make you burst into a relatively short happy dance you wouldn't want anyone to catch on video.

Thomas doesn’t disappoint with the next track “Memories and Dreams.” It’s like Elliot Smith doing 1950’s doo-wop. Get on with your bad self. How could a song entitled “Happiness” not give you a little bit of the good stuff? It delivers. It’s good fun and feels like a beam of sunshine coming through your window.

Thomas breaks out some distortion on “Smile” for a bit of a Pavement vibe. It works and doesn’t sound like much of a departure from his previous material. He closes with “Real Life” and goes five for five.

My only complaint is the recording quality. His voice sounded good, the guitars sounded ok and the drums needed some work. My advice to Thomas is get into a recording studio because you are awesome and so is Makeshift.

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