Brad Laner: Neighbor Singing

As the central songwriter of dream-pop heroes Medicine, Brad Laner was responsible for some of the most ethereal and trippy pop tunes of the ’90s.

After the band broke up, Laner found other vehicles for his effects-laden haze, be it in the eclectic outfit Amnesia, progressive act Lusk, solo project Electric Company, or the first solo album bearing his name, Neighbor Singing.

Neighbor Singing retains the hallmarks of a Laner album — a fearsome arsenal of effects pedals, melodies seemingly beamed down from the cosmos, and heavenly vocal harmonies. The album begins with simple psych-rock in “Find Out.” Similarly stripped down, “Out Cold” has a hoedown feel with a folk stomp.

Laner still spends much of his time floating in the stratosphere. “Lovely World” is a nebulous ballad, whereas “Vecino” is a hippie space excursion with conga drums and exotic guitar flourishes. His gorgeous pop concoctions make Neighbor Singing a successful solo “debut.”

- Jeffrey Terich

Brad Laner: www.bradlaner.com
Hometapes: www.home-tapes.com