Sebastian Blanck - Alibi Coast

It's now been over a decade since Sebastian Blanck amicably split from New York's dissonant experimental trio Black Dice in order to focus on his burgeoning career as an artist. But even as he moved to a world dominated by paint and canvas, Blanck kept his songwriting alive, fashioning elegant, folk-pop melodies a far cry from his earlier musical ventures. Three years ago, grieving over the accidental death of his brother Toby -- who had wanted to start a label to release Blanck's new songs -- and, conversely, celebrating the birth of his son, Blanck submerged himself further in writing and recording. He imagined the emotions of his late brother's last months into lyric and mood just as he used art to capture light and dark, vivid color and space.

Those songs are the heart of Alibi Coast (July 6, Rare Book Room), a beautiful album of classic-sounding acoustic melodies and lush harmonies. Utilizing the vocals of Caroline Polachek (Chairlift), Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond), Olivia Mori and Lia Ices, Blanck creates richly textured songs that are grounded in the timeless works of Simon and Garfunkel and the 70's Laurel Canyon folk minstrels. On the deceptively-titled "Thunder", Blanck and Polachek take their harmonies to celestial hights, strolling each twist and crescendo down a flowery path of hymnal delights. "I Blame Baltimore" adds a delicate piano fill to the mix, a gently sweeping chamber pop song of nimble, graceful sway. Recommended.

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Sebastian Blanck - "Thunder" (from the album Alibi Coast)

Sebastian Blanck - "I Blame Baltimore" (from the album Alibi Coast)

Photo Credit: Jason Frank Rothenberg