The Only Boy in Town by Colin Clary (Review)

The most significant thing about this CD is that it was produced by Jeff Baron (Ladybug Transistor, Essex Green), but surprisingly, it’s not that evident. If anything, Baron might have inspired a certain level of competency from Clary, who quietly strums his plain-jane indie pop songs, offered with few embellishments. Left to his own devices, who knows what Clary would have released?

Could it have possibly been more indie and more twee? Yes! More destined for a love letter from Dagger magazine’s Tim Hinely? Sure. Maybe less would be more. If Clary only had a homely-looking but well-dressed prep-school girl singing his songs with him and taking the focus off of his own nasal voice, he’d be in business. But for now, he’s the only boy in town.

Covering The Smiths’ “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” was probably a bad idea, and thanking Belle & Sebastian in the liner notes, likewise. He’s pigeonholed this far too well. Or using the word “boy” to refer to yourself after the age of say, 18. Clary might be some indie college girl’s dreamboat, and I think that’s the idea here, for this may be the symphony to his someday dream queen, but she’s not me, and I am not she. Watch for the next release, when the heartache is mended and the mighty warrior emerges.

Written by Jonathan Donaldson.