The Ladybug Transistor

Argyle Heir is a dreamy collection of orchestral pop songs set in the style of 1960s folk-rock. Gary Olson's lilting baritone vocals are comfortably cushioned in Joe McGinty's colorful string arrangements, which evoke the classic pop arrangements of Brian Wilson and George Martin; their ornate motifs complement the melodic structure of each track without obstructing the minimalist rhythm section. Though Olson handles the singing throughout, Jennifer Baron's rendering of "Catherine Elizabeth," an otherworldly Victorian folktale, recalls a young Marianne Faithfull. Filled with surrealistic lyrics, the crisp sounds of a plectrum stroking the bass and guitar lines, trumpet solos, expertly placed droplets of reverb, classical piano runs, instrumental vignettes, and seamless tempo changes, this collection displays a multi-textured cinematic veneer that's entirely unique, even though its origins lie somewhere in the back of Burt Bacharach's imagination. ~ Tom Semioli, All Music Guide