NEW ALBUMS
IAN McNABB
Icicle Works man still cool and spiky
Utopian FAIRFIELD
8/10
McNabb’s jukebox brain is firing on all synapses on this 13th solo release, mining myriad musical styles and making salient points about the state of the world. High-up hucksters in corridors of power are pilloried on the grunge funk of “No One Tells A Lie Like A Dude With A Tie”, the spirits of both Neil Young and ELO inhabit the maverick strum of “The Outlaw”, while “YOLO” takes its lead from the slick jazz and quick wit of Steely Dan. Other highlights include the sombre piano ballad “Harry Dean Stanton” and the uplifting romantic reminiscences of “You Bring Good Things”.