Treasure Island Serenade

Cole Marquis has fashioned an unselfconscious record that hybridizes minimalist sensibilities spanning the distance between Big Star's Third and the '90s sadcore and space rock movements. Marquis leads the Snowmen; as a former member of the Downsiders and Barbara Manning's original band, 28th Day, he brings guitar rock cred to his distant and murky solo melodies with sad and detached vocals ("Shutting Off Niagara Falls") and even a throws in some jangle on "Stolen Bicycle." An upbeat (by comparison) pop song like "The Landing Lights Are Always On" is injected with a little bit of soul; spacy repetition is at the heart of "Marysville Buttes." It's varied but consistent/moody and melodic (a pile of contradictions) from a decisive, California singer/songwriter.