JOHN VANDERSLICE Vinyl Records and CDs

Most recently of MK Ultra, Singer-Songwriter John Vanderslice makes a career doling out cheap recording time at his San Francisco studio Tiny Telephone, but the songs here suggest there's more than physics behind this local rock philanthropist's perennial smile. Vanderslice's sharp studio skills have guaranteed a fair download here -- each song is candied with countless textures via Moog, trillions of guitar/keyboard sounds, smart drumming, and Vanderslice's indelible charm. The melancholic, multi-textured Synth-Pop of "Confusion," layered with loads of Beach harmonies and agitated digital rhythms, sounds like a crazed New Romantic approximation of the Replacements' "We're Coming Out." The syrupy-sweet crunch of "Bill Gates Must Die" mopes distortedly a la Jets to Brazil, or maybe Sunny Day Real Estate. A penchant for sharp pop songwriting and his solid production skills make Vanderslice one to watch.