The Automatik

2004, Wrechord Records

Just because Mr. Falkner’s last proper album was 1999′s excellent Can You Still Feel? doesn’t mean he’s been sitting on his well-deserved laurels. Between conceptual “soundtracks” like Logan’s Sanctuary, the Bedtime with Beatles discs, working and touring with French band Air, and the unsigned TV Eyes, Falkner’s musical contributions have been good and plenty. But we still want more Falkner, so this five song EP, the appropriately titled Bliss Descending, is the kind of candy that isn’t going to spoil your supper.

For a DIY production through and through, the songs are remarkably meaty. Falkner plays well with others, but even when it’s just him performing and producing, there’s not a smidge of bland awkwardness. Everything on Bliss Descending is immediately catchy and instantly swoon-worthy, with some bits of stereo gum that will find their way into your head hours after you’ve listened to them. It’s slightly astonishing how someone can have such a distinct and appealing style when listening to modern rock radio is like a game of “Spot the Influence,” but Falkner’s career is rock solid proof that it’s possible.

“The Neighbor” should have a ? next to it for that repetitive and instantly catchy chorus, not to mention the melodic guitar, and THAT voice, which is simultaneously detached and affecting. “They Put Her in the Movies” is probably the weakest track, but it’s still better than most of the singles I’ve heard this year. The moody “Feeling No Pain” is delicious, but my favorites are “Moving Up” and “Lost Myself in You,” two slices of hauntingly sweet power pop that amazingly do not sound like early 80s Soft Rock. There’s an art to combining vaguely melancholy lyrics, New Wavey keyboards, guitar riffs, and the right touch of falsetto, and Jason Falkner has mastered it.

This isn’t life-changing, genre-defining stuff. But just give Jason some time. Quite soon he might actually take over the world.