Scuzzed San Francisco pedigree or no, multi-instrumentalist Mikal Cronin’s critical path always arced toward aspirant pop. The Ty Segall compatriot employs full-bodied arrangements and summit-cresting guitar solos to craft a grand statement on solo LP three. Roiling strings drive “Turn Around,” an exclamatory overture sabotaged by lack of resolution, while the cruise-controlled cowbell clip of “Say” summons open roads. The ELO-flavored French horn passage opening “Alone” on side two’s six-part song cycle builds a restiveness that culminates in straight-up wallbanger “Ready.” Missing the shambolic charm of Cronin’s earlier work, MCIII nevertheless guarantees bigger stages. (2:25pm, Orange stage)
This article appears in November 6 • 2015.
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Greg Beets was born in Lubbock on the day Richard Nixon was elected president. He has covered music for the Chronicle since 1992, writing about everyone from Roky Erickson to Yanni. Beets has also written for Billboard,Uncut, Blurt, Elmore, and Pop Culture Press. Before his digestive tract cried uncle, he co-published Hey! Hey! Buffet!, an award-winning fanzine about all-you-can-eat buffets.
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