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After nearly 25 years of making great and unforgettable music, David Kilgour is at it again with a brand new solo album. The veteran musician of The Clean fame was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit by the Queen of England in 2001 and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. One Clean Anthology and solo album later, Kilgour came up with the premise that would become his newest and perhaps best solo album yet.

Frozen Orange is a big step in a new direction for the singer-songwriter. Not only does his sixth solo LP mark the first time he has ever relinquished his beloved recording and producing duties, but almost the entire album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at Beechhouse Studios. It didn't take much convincing for Kilgour's friends and tourmates, Lambchop, and producer, Mark Nevers, to get him to come and record in the famed Music City, leaving behind his homeland of New Zealand and usual back up band, The Heavy Eights. This sure was quite a change, but judging by the quality of Frozen Orange, it was all worth it in the end.

This album throws away all mandated boundaries of what great pop is supposed to be, and still manages to be strangely catchy. Beautiful guitar melodies mixed with Kilgour's soothing Dylanesque voice, and quirky lyrics make for an amazing psychedelic folk-pop record. It's often these lyrics, however, that keep Frozen Orange from being as great is it could be. Sometimes they're just too simple or are repeated over and over throughout the song, making it a little monotonous. This is usually forgiven because of the great melodies and synth sounds that guide the songs.

Each song is unique in that it has its own distinct feel to it. That's where Kilgour really excels on this album. Oddly enough, the best song on the record was one of only two songs that were recorded in his usual style. "A Head Full of Rolling Stones" was recorded in New Zealand with The Heavy Eights as his back up band. The song starts off with a cool and simple guitar melody with some synth sounds in the back ground. Kilgour's lyrics stand out here more than in any other song on the album. Other songs like "Living in Space" and "Waltz" are also great and memorable in their own ways. "Waltz" opens the album with perhaps it's most unique and distinguishable song.

David Kilgour took a chance by changing his methods in recording Frozen Orange, but in the end, it was all worth the trouble. This album is one of the best folk pop rock records to come out this year, and will more than please existing fans of the artist as well as open the gate for a whole new generation.

(6 of 8)

-Mike Affholder

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