Written by: Mike Dimitriou
New York’s Norman Salant has recently released his brand new album Always All Around You.
Although it’s a 10-track indie rock record, Salant is best known as an innovative avant-pop saxophonist through his collaboration with The Residents. His rich history also involves collaborations with Romeo Void and a duo with Romeo Void’s Benjamin Bossi, as well as with Lynn Mabry (Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament–Funkadelic, Brides Of Funkenstein, Talking Heads). He’s a multi-instrumentalist (he sings, plays guitar, keyboards, and of course alto & tenor sax), a composer, and a producer, too.
On his new album, he offers a brilliant tapestry of sounds and styles that range from pop to folk to Americana to rock and to psychedelia to funk. There are musical colors everywhere and the album is heavy on mood with the songs grounded in storytelling. With all these elements filtered through all these styles, the whole album comes across as decidedly fresh and innovative.
“Feels Like Rain” is an infectious number that’s got a catchy chorus and crunchy verse that’s impossible to get out of your head. Salant sings with authority and nerve and this is one of the catchiest tracks of the year.
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