THE debut release for Elijah Wood's new Simian label is a powerful, expansive offering, pushing the limits of the power-pop world.
Following five years wondering lonely as that proverbial cloud, New Magnetic Wonder is a sprawling and lush tour de force.
Robert Schneider's songs have always harked back to the ambition of Brian Wilson and Jeff Lynne, and he has been given free rein in the studio.
Relentlessly upbeat throughout, there are apparently 96 musical layers on Same Old Drag. It just sounds dense, unless you have a recording studio for your listening pleasure.
Allegedly Schneider has also come up with a new musical scale, but that is another debate.
What matters most is the tunes, and these are present and abundant - Sundial Song and Play Tough are euphoric pop songs, while Beautiful Machine is the Shine On You Crazy Diamond of the set, segueing forever out of reach.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article