San Francisco (Goodnight In Dreamland)

Although the second full-length record from James Conner, San Francisco (Good-night In Dreamland), is a large departure from his first full-length record, some comparisons still remain. The title track, 'San Francisco' harks back to the days of keyboards, drum machines and spoken-word vocals which is in the style of song-writing consistent with his first full-length record, James Conner: A Year In The Light Of My Life (2007). 'Con-Science/Eye Contact' and 'I'm Moving To France' follow this formula as well and they provide moments of pause and structure that keep 'San Francisco' moving. Next we have 'Golden Rules,' the first stand out single of the record. With it's jazzy, building guitars and bass-driven rhythm it provides the first exciting punch that this album has to offer. Although, some may find the lyrical content a bit surprising, it's an all too common scenario in our modern age. We then have 'L.A. Kids'; a bizarre trip into the seedy youth culture of urban Los Angeles. 'You're Old Enough To Know (Someone Bought It For Her)' is a fast, jazzy, punk rock song that provides a stunning listen. In 'I Fell In Love With My Mother,' James examines the age-old Oedipal conflict evident in every person's attraction to the opposite sex set against another up-tempo rock song. 'The Boy's In Love' provides the second stand out single of the record and packs in several different song-writing styles blended together with a cohesion that churns in one's ears. 'You Don't Have To Tell Her Anything/Women' is a largely instrumental rock song that takes the listener on a far-out trip before we are taken back to the boundaries of California for 'California Girl.' 'No Tears' provides the solemn conscience of the record in an acoustic guitar driven ballad about escaping one's past only to wind up, where? The album is finished and we are softly laid down to rest by the beautiful guitar instrumental 'Anticipation (Time Moving Endlessly Forward).' Some may criticize this record for it's simplicity and it's honesty but it's strengths far out-way it's weaknesses and we as the listeners are provided with a unique experience that is rare these days: A break. Enjoy. 2nd Dimension 2012.