.Local Licks

This week, we review Lawrence Blatt, Okay, the Botticellis, and the Downfalls.

Lawrence Blatt, Fibonacci’s Dream. San Francisco fingerpicking guitarist Lawrence Blatt composed the songs on his second album around patterns discovered by 13th-century mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci. Golden ratio or no, Blatt’s spirited performance and technical proficiency speak for themselves. (Blue Pie Records)

Okay, Huggable Dust. There’s something profoundly mysterious about Marty Anderson’s music. The Fremont native’s third album as Okay passes an entire hour without fully revealing itself, yet puts out enough hooks to order another listen. Deranged yet twee vocals between Tom Waits and Mark Linkous wobble atop spot-on rhythm guitar and kaleidoscopic accompaniment. (Absolutely Kosher Records)

The Botticellis, Old Home Movies. With roots reaching back to a Southern California kindergarten, a name derived from surf slang (it means “little barrel”), and a debut borne of four years of communal living in the Outer Richmond, the Botticellis seem bound for a well-worn California sound. That they achieve, tempered with Beatles worship and modest experimentation. (Antenna Farm Records)

The Downfalls, Last Night. One could probably get away with claiming the Downfalls sound like Weezer, Local H, and early Nada Surf, but better to level with the alt-rock nostalgists and admit this San Francisco band’s mainstream sheen and general lack of edge qualify it for a broader, more forgiving audience. (self-released)

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