John Maus — Love is Real

John Maus second album of weird & wonderful 80’s synth  music, meets new-wave, meets soundtrack elements finds him edging more towards the approachable pop elements of his sound & sadly disposing of some of the more enjoyable bizarre edgers & dropping many of the strange and sinister lyrics that filled his debut album.

This still possesses some of that that odd melancholy feeling which made his debut stand out so much. The tracks seemingly slowed down as you drift along in a strange retro world that beams out of Maus head like faded and smudged dreams of 80’s TV shows, technology and upholstery. It’s just he’s polished his song craft and production somewhat and in the process taken out many of the strange edges & the feeling of  bizarre quirkiness. With touches of pop blandness surfacing  here and there with little of the tongue-in-cheek sneering presence that was rife in his past work. You can appreciate his need to progress and develop his music,  there certainly are some very enjoyable & sickly memorable moments on display here, I'd just wish he’d shown more of his odd & sometimes sinster flare.

An acceptable second shot from Mr Maus that I’m sure with attract new ears to his distinctive musically world, but may well leave fans of his debut feeling somewhat  disappointed and a little empty.