Ariel Pink // Dedicated to Bobby Jameson

Ariel Pink

Dedicated to Bobby Jameson

Mexican Summer 

3.5/5 stars

Ariel Pink is a personality, something he's admitted before and something that is obvious in every cassette-ready jingle he creates and every unwarranted comment he lobs at another performer. Coming off of the polarizing psychedelic-pop of 2014's Pom Pom, Pink's new LP immediately feels more rooted in structure than most of his work. Ultimately, what sets Dedicated to Bobby Jameson apart is the number of songs bound to become staples of Pink's eclectic catalog. "Feels Like Heaven" is pure 80s goth-pop, drenched in The Cure's doom and gloom, while "Bubblegum Dreams" translates Pink's Brian Wilson impression through layers of distorted fuzz. Elsewhere, Pink employs vintage synth sounds to complement his aesthetic (imagine taking acid before a hockey game and you can pretty much envision opener "Time to Meet Your God"). He doesn't completely abandon the quirks that push his detractors away (see the Count Chocula vocal antics of "Santa's In the Closet"), but only three tracks later, Pink also manages to compose one of the best dream-pop tunes of the decade ("Another Weekend"). His unique take on artwork and music history only adds to Pink's curious allure. — Aaron Mook