Album Mini-review: Allyson Seconds — Little World
File next to: Anton Barbeau, Corner Laughers
Pop music has long featured engaging artists who don’t write their own material. Going back to perhaps the greatest of them all, Frank Sinatra never wrote a song in his life. Linda Ronstadt‘s long and successful career was built in large part upon her canny choice of material. And so California pop vocalist Allyson Seconds is in very good company: she chooses to work with American expat Anton Barbeau – producer, musician and songwriter of all 11 tracks on Seconds’, um, second album. Barbeau has collected a clutch of ear-candy melodies, and – with the help of associates including The Bevis Frond‘s Nick Saloman, former XTC bassist Colin Moulding, Kimberley Rew, and the Corner Laughers‘ Karla Kane – succeeds in helping a decidedly pop-leaning artist craft an album with serious, edgy alternarock credibility. That Seconds possesses a lovely voice helps things to no end.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.