{"id":1384429,"date":"2018-10-04T09:46:22","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T13:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fnpsites.net\/playlist\/?p=1384429"},"modified":"2018-10-04T09:46:22","modified_gmt":"2018-10-04T13:46:22","slug":"patterns-in-traffic-direction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fnpsites.net\/playlist\/2018\/10\/04\/patterns-in-traffic-direction\/","title":{"rendered":"Patterns In Traffic: ‘Direction’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"What\u2019s the only thing more curious than a concept album? A local<\/em> concept album.<\/p>\n

Such is why Patterns In Traffic\u2019s \u201cDirection\u201d finds itself stuck at a red light more often than it does facing that ever-illusive green signal. According to Kyle Simmons, the one-man-band behind the Patterns In Traffic moniker, the six-song set is \u201ca themed EP based on the six relative directions (forward, backward, left, right, up and down),\u201d and the songs \u201cexplore different concepts and interpretations of those words.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not particularly the highest of high concepts, sure, but clearly, Simmons had a vision. The problem? While the singer\/songwriter goes to great pains on his website to explain the stories behind each song here (honestly, check out patternsintraffic.com and find a trove of essays revolving around these things), the notion spends far too much time in the space between clever and forced.<\/p>\n

Take opener \u201cForward,\u201d which finds Simmons repeating the word incessantly throughout each chorus in a way that will admittedly stick on your head for days. Still, there\u2019s something missing from the composition. He makes no secret of the fact that he\u2019s the man behind every instrument here \u2014 even drums, which, according to his website, can be chalked up to some trickery in Logic \u2014 and perhaps that\u2019s why the track hints at a lack of soul. Yeah, the droning guitar combines a neat mix of 10,000 Maniacs\u2019 \u201cThese Are The Days\u201d and \u2026 wait for it \u2026 Sixpence None The Richer\u2019s \u201cKiss Me,\u201d but when Simons tries to put on his aggressive face as the hook opens up, it lacks believability.<\/p>\n

As for where the concept stretches thin, check \u201cDown,\u201d one of the weakest musical moments on the album. Playing with gloomy chords and a groove that never quite feels human, the bright spot is an infectious guitar hook that announces the songwriter as an artist who knows his way around a hook. Still, when you\u2019re married to a through-line and the magic word is used so flippantly with a throwaway like \u201cWe could write down all of our regrets\u201d \u2026 well, it just seems lazy. The world was never clamoring for a six-song EP dedicated to driving directions, so if you\u2019re going to do it, at least take the time to make the concept more \u2026 conceptual.<\/p>\n

Not all is lost, though. Sins can be forgiven with the \u201880s bubblegum of \u201cUp.\u201d Clearly the moment that calls the most people to the biggest dance floor, the track cements Simons\u2019 place in pop. While each song on the EP displays the singer\u2019s ability to toy with bright colors and sensitive sugar, this, the best track here, makes you yearn for an LP from him filled with more candy and less weight. Complete with lush backing harmonies throughout each chorus, Simons\u2019 unassuming voice works best when it\u2019s not asked to be taken as seriously, and the positivity behind the message of \u201cUp\u201d \u2014 \u201cIt\u2019s not as scary as it seems if you turn the lights on,\u201d he contends \u2014 plays well into his strengths. It\u2019s a lovely detour.<\/p>\n