Telekinesis' nice new piece of power pop

Telekinesis' Lerner

Telekinesis, the one-man band of Michael Benjamin Lerner, released a new record this week, 12 Desperate Straight Lines. The good news for fans is that it's more of the same power pop that made Lerner's debut so enjoyable.

Lerner's an interesting guy. He eschews the star-wattage most songwriters shoot for at the front of the stage. He's primarily a drummer, one who stays behind the kit when he hits the road with a backing band -- bassist Jason Narducy and guitarist Cody Votolato.

The position -- the lack of swagger -- fits with his music. Lerner's music is power pop seemingly made by the shy guy you never new had it in him. His lyrics aren't complicated, just plaintive and personal. He's not above a slow, sappy turn about lost love, but he never wallows for long. Most of 12 Desperate Straight Lines is up-beat stuff. It's a near pitch-perfect balance between the "Blue Album" Weezer and Summerteeth Wilco. It's straight ahead power pop which is not afraid to get loud or to get quiet, when needed.

At his best, Lerner is melodic and fun. He's not the kind of musician blazing any new trails in sound or inventing new forms of song craft. But he does power pop about as well as anyone else. Like the self-titled debut, also on Merge records, 12 Desperate Straight Lines, is well-composed, power pop that might actually be just the tonic needed by anyone who feels Weezer left an irreparable hole in the fabric of American music by becoming one of the worst bands in the world.

Telekinesis will play Johnny Brenda's in Philly on March 11. Check them out on Merge here.