[04.03.06] Upon returning from SXSW, I discovered that a strange thing had happened: spring had returned to the Southland. And I didn't even really need to go outside to learn that a change had occurred, that the birds and sun had found their way back to LA. All I had to do was listen to Cosmic Starfish's self-titled album and there was no question the ice was thawing.

The bright, beautiful electropop featured here is the result of the multitalented artist Jeffrey Randall Snyder coupled with the production skills of one Adrien75. Snyder competently tackles banks of Casios, acoustic guitars and drum machines but really leaves his mark with an unusual yet familiar vocal style: part Polyphonic, part Revolver-era Lennon, part Marc Bianchi. Comparisons to Aspera's Drew Mills also spring to mind. As a matter of fact, an Aspera/Cosmic Starfish show would make a lot of sense.

The songs are appropriately clean and shiny and the production is crisp. Instrumentals such as "Sea Major" evoke a 22nd-century version of the "Three's Company" theme music. Likewise, the lyrical content, for the most part, is lighthearted (such as that of "Don't Give Up" and the tongue-in-cheek "XXX"), but does get melancholy; on the song "Behind My House," Snyder "long[s] for the sound of mono radio" and makes us believe it. And almost everything is given a thin coat of sunshine psychedelia.

While the album might not be flawless (sometimes whimsy turns to goofiness and the sentiment begins to cloy), it is strong and, more importantly, fun. Picnic season is soon approaching and you won't want to spread the blanket without this on your iPod.  —Jeremy