Adam Payne – Famous Blondes

Have you seen his hair though?

In the midst of painting houses and refurbishing patios and decks, Adam Payne managed to write and produce a 10-track album. Famous Blondes rallies classic rock, synth pop, and ’90s grunge seamlessly into a love song album.

Now, onto the bulk of this review, if you are wondering how to acquire a ‘fro of such voluminous value as Adam Payne’s, it may be nearly impossible. Payne mentions his extensive nationalities; “In no particular order: 1/4 Latvian Jew, 1/4 Scotch-Irish-English, 1/4 Black American, 1/4 Cree Indian. = Quadroon.” Pretty awesome.

Anyways, he mentions his album is about “Everything a man does in his life to gain, prolong, and subsequently reject or destroy a woman’s favor.” Payne describes his sound as Hippie New Wave, which seems suitable with the albums scratchy electric guitar riffs and slow riding electric keyboard. Although his sound is reminiscent of Interpol or The Strokes, Payne allows for his poppy chorus’s to elude beachy vibes.

The album begins with the track “Tell Me”. This first track reels in its audience with thought provoking metaphorical lyricism with lines like “The elements of truth turn intention into stone. “ This track uses dashes of high-pitched electric keyboard that could be familiar to an avid Passion Pit listener, particularly “Sleepyhead”.

The fourth track “Open Up” is a fan favorite. With its extremes in harmonization, this track carries a satirical motive. You know a song is good enough to keep bumpin’ when an artist covers a reprise, and that is just what Payne does with it’s 10^th and last track. Controversially, Payne suggests to his audience, when listening to this album to use “prescribed/unprescribed medication and wearing headphones.”

Payne tends to end his tracks in belches, scoffs and gurgles. Pretty eccentric. It’s kind of like seeing an oil painting of a glazed donut in space and not questioning it, just enjoying its presence. Famous Blondes is an album made for headphone use. If you decide to get a hold of the aux, and crank tracks of Famous Blondes, you are one ballsy motherf*****. But kudos to you, for doing your music research, and finding a love song album with such character as this one.