Terry Eason’s latest effort is an unapologetic example of shameless pop ambition, one that makes an easy transition from wacky weirdness to heartfelt core sentiment. This Minneapolis-based wunderkind is no stranger to melding craft and achievement; he’s been issuing ongoing albums for nearly two decades - both on his own and in collaboration with his band the Ultrasonics. No wonder then that Sentimental Vanity easily lives up to its title and makes for a compelling encounter in the process. That said, it’s still hard to believe that Eason is responsible for nearly all the content on this album; with his lavishly orchestrated arrangements, elaborate instrumentation and effusive presentation, he’s crafted productions that could cause even veteran over-achievers like Queen, ABBA and ELO to blush with envy. Not that Eason attempts to emulate those icons; obviously inspired by Brit rock royalty, his points of reference fall within an axis bounded by the Beatles, the Move and the Kinks -- the latter’s influence being especially evident on the thoughtful ballad “Kohlrabi Dreams.” Eason’s obsession with quirky, off-kilter fastidiousness makes songs like the aptly-titled “Meglomaniac” and “Miss Egmont” a mass of clutter and confusion, but regardless, a combination of plucky charm and irrepressible attitude make the bulk of Sentimental Vanity all but irresistible.
-- Lee Zimmerman [July 7, 2008]
