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Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Nick Frater — Bivouac
(Bandcamp Think Like a Key TLAK, 2023, CD / LP / DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2024-09-15

Bivouac Cover art

I am not at all sure why we are asked to review some music, especially when it doesn’t really fit in with the majority of the bands we cover. It must have something to do with the Exposé motto “Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.” Case in point is Nick Frater and his eleventh studio album, Bivouac, a set of 23 lightweight pop songs hearkening back decades and spanning a mere 47 minutes. Just because the promo material states the music has psychedelic touches and Mellotron doesn’t mean it is music outside of the box. What we have here on Bivouac (not at all sure how the title relates to the music) is a bit of Queen vocal harmonies, a bit of Holland era Beach Boys, and some simplistic Mellotron melodies stirred and up served. Even with the majority of songs being short, the album feels interminable. The most interesting track on the disc, “Closing Time,” feels like it is never approaching its end. And the closing track, “So Long Sleepyheads,” feels like Nick is surrendering to the listener who has succumbed to his lethargic music. Overall, the 23 tracks are very smooth, many of them segueing from one to another, something you may not notice if you are not paying close attention. I am sure that this music must appeal to someone. I keep having visions of starry eyed teenage girls swooning over the music, but Bivouac is certainly not for me.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): Cary Grace, The Poppermost (Joe Kane), Nick Frater

More info
http://nickfrater.bandcamp.com/album/bivouac

 

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