A complex patchwork of lo-fi rock, fuzz pop, stripped-down balladry, and computer sampling,
Unicorn is a loose concept album tracing a year spent living out of a van in California. While that concept isn't always easy to follow, the sincerity and unpretentious glee that colors the album's 16 tracks ensure that it is rarely a daunting listen. Though recorded on admittedly outdated recording technology,
Kennedy mixes and matches textures with a steady hand, incorporating well-chosen samples to highlight his rock collage. The Sly Stone-ish psychedelic funk of "I Love Me" fits nicely beside the bluesy glam rock of "Pink Afros," although the lyrics occasionally are somewhat inane. Regardless,
Kennedy finds more than a few good melodies, blowing some nice harmonica on "All Alone" and jumping through multiple passages on "Turkey Pot Pie." As
Kennedy has a slight
Bob Pollard quality in his voice, he also seems to share a similar affinity for Brit-pop influences, even working in a new wave-ish cover of
the Kinks' "Picture Book." That the Davies original fits so unobtrusively into the set is further evidence of
Kennedy's significant songwriting talent. Overall, for those who would like to know what it sounds like when Beck and
Ray Davies shake hands,
Kennedy might have your answer.