Ye Gods (and little fishes) marks the triumphant return of Martin Carr, formerly of The Boo Radleys. The album is currently available for purchase at the bargain price of $6.99 as an Amazon.com mp3 download.
In the early 2000s Carr recorded under the name Brave Captain and released two full-length volumes titled The Fingertip Saint Sessions. Alas those works went completely unnoticed on these shores and 2009 marks the first album under his proper name Martin Carr. Carr wrote the music and lyrics for the underappreciated Boo Radleys in the 1990s, but was not the singer in that band. Here he steps into the role with ease.
Ye Gods (and little fishes) picks up where Brave Captain left off with largely acoustic flavored pop with a keen ear for detail. Album track “Goldrush ’49” is instantly memorable building and building until an electric guitar gives way to the closing refrain ‘It’s California.’
“Darwin’s Tree” is another highlight distinguished by its organ flourishes and accompanying female vocals (which pop up on many of the tracks). There is a definite hippie vibe to Carr’s work, and I can’t get enough of it. See “Orpheus Lament” for a sample of perfect pop that echoes The Boos sunnier horn-accented fare. Rediscover this talented songwriter or be introduced to Martin Carr.
Eyegunk 