The second song, “Late Night Show” has a wonderful piano line that carries the sharp verses into a chorus that The New Pornographers would be envious of. The track “Friday the Thirteenth” starts off with a chord progression similar to “New York New York,” but it’s soon apparent this is not any homage to Frank Sinatra.
The title track, “Born in the Wrong Era", is a caged little animal. It’s slow, meandering style, gels up just enough energy, and then, well then nothing. It’s too droll for its own good. Belle and Sebastian are about the only group that can make that speed work. Minor tries. He almost succeeds.
It’s easy going, and it’s hook-laden. What I don’t know is if it will last. Will Minor get wispier, too quirky, or will he fall off the wagon entirely? So far it’s been growing steadily with each listen, but momentum is an easy thing to let slip through your fingers. Too many indie artists desperate to prove how “alt” they are, purposely push away the hooks and melodies, in the hope of getting more critical respect. It’s far more satisfying to take baby steps towards weirdness, while keeping the hooks coming.
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