EP Review: Local Nomad — s/t
I nearly gave this one a miss, based on the cover art alone. The cover graphic immediately made me think that I held in my hand a new release from Insane Clown Posse, to which I would have promptly said, “No thanks.”
Somehow, and against my better instincts, I decided to put the CD in my player anyway. And I’m pleased to report that Local Nomad is nothing like ICP. It’s catchy electropop, with a groove that draws in the listener. If Fitz & the Tantrums hit the sweet spot for you, the five songs on this EP are likely to find favor as well.
Michael Desmond is Local Nomad; he plays everything except drums on this set. In the days when “radio friendly” meant something, this EP would have earned the description. “Summertime” is a cut or three above the kind of pop one might hear over the loudspeakers at the gym, though it’s stylistically in that bag. It’s docked a couple stars for the spoken interlude, but the guitar solo redeems it halfway.
“Gates” takes a gentler, more understated approach, but it fits in well with the more beat-centric songs. “Getting Old is a Bit” reaches back to the syynth-heavy end of the ‘80s for inspiration. The opening track “Love is Gone” and the textured “Young Vampires” are the disc’s strongest tracks.
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 4000-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 is co-teaching 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: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.