The first comment on Michael Benjamin Lerner, a.k.a. Telekinesis, is usually that he’s one of the rare drummer-singers out there (whither the new Grant Harts?… – QRO interview), but unfortunately beyond that there hasn’t been a lot else to say, as his lo-fi garage-rock is one of many, many out there. 2011’s 12 Desperate Straight Lines (QRO review) was enjoyable and improved on his formula somewhat, but needed more. Lerner takes another step forward on Domarion – at times.
Domarion clearly excels at its start and finish, while sagging in the middle. The catchy, upbeat garage-pop/rock of opener “Power Lines” and closer “You Take It Slowly” show very well what Lerner does well. Meanwhile, after the opener & before the closer come “Empathetic People” and “Laissez-faire” (respectively), which give a needed pressure to his sound, and it’s done even better early in the album with “Wires”. However, between “Wires” and “Laissez-faire”, Domarion sinks back into Lerner’s simplicity. Not that it’s not an enjoyable simplicity, but we don’t need another fifties garage-pop sway (literally titled “Lean on Me”), his sad acoustic strum (ironically titled “Symphony”), or his random simple synths (“Ever True”).
As Telekinesis, Lerner is never not appealing (and great live – QRO photos), but it can be frustrating because you know he can do more. He does more on Domarion, even if not to your high hopes.
Telekinesis – Wires
