What's for Breakfast?

by Dent May

Overview

Over the course of a decade and a half, Dent May has carved out a nice little spot for himself on the indie pop scene. He convincingly plays the role of the nice guy, crooning sweetly over a gentle mix of soft rock, AM pop, and slow-motion disco that cuddles the listener like a broken-in fuzzy sweater. His 2024 album What's for Breakfast? does nothing to dissuade people that he's a teddy bear devoted to being an all-around good egg, though he does give his usual formula an interesting tweak. This time around, he turns off the disco ball and gives guitars the spotlight in a way he never has before. Chiming six-strings propel the songs, jangling leads provide some melodic punch, and the overall effect is that of a '70s power pop band working at about half-power and three times the sweetness. Sort of like the Dwight Twilley Band if they were secret fans of the Captain & Tennille or Cheap Trick if they were hiding a fondness for the Carpenters. Even the jumpiest, most skinny-tie clad songs -- like "One Call, That's All" or "Heaven on Wheels" -- come equipped with syrupy vocal harmonies, humming synth pads, and production slick enough that Jeff Lynne could take notes. Calling the record a power pop throwback only paints about half the picture, though, as much of the album is a further refinement of May's immersion in '70s radio-ready pop. He's not shy about whipping out synth drums, corny keyboard lines, midtempo love songs, or harmonized guitar leads in pursuit of his goals; while all the elements are working in unity to come up with something familiar sounding, in May's sure hands, it's dazzlingly new sounding. There's probably no reason yet another Fleetwood Mac-y soft rocker like "Coasting on Fumes" should come across as anything but tired, yet May and guest vocalist Jordana imbue the song with just the right amount of restrained emotion to make it work. Likewise, "Cactus Flower" -- which is roughly the millionth time someone has done a take on the Beach Boys' late-'60s/early-'70s sound -- should sound like a faded copy, but May's strangely powerful vocals and the lovely even by the Boys' standards arrangement give the style some unexpected life. It's pretty clear throughout the record that May was looking to expand his musical horizons on What's for Breakfast?, and he does it in the best possible way by adding new sounds with care and not subtracting what's made his music so good in the first place -- button-cute melodies, pristine arrangements, memorable songs, and May's very winning normcore persona. ~ Tim Sendra

Product Details

Release Date:	03/29/2024
Label:	Carpark Records
UPC:	0677517017120

Tracks

1. You Already Know
2. Keep Me in Mind
3. One Call, That's All
4. The Simple Life
5. Coasting on Fumes
6. Kiss Me in the Rain
7. Heaven on Wheel
8. Times Flies When You're Having Fun
9. Cactus Flower
10. Don't Stop Doing What You're Doing
11. Singing for My Supper
12. Let's Take It From the Top

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dent May   Primary Artist,Piano,Bongos,Guitar,Vocals,Synthesizer,Drum Machine,Guitar (Bass),Piano (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Joseph Faught   Guitar (Bass)
Jordana   Vocals,Synthesizer,Featured Artist
Oysters   Featured Artist
Juliette Pearl Davis   Vocals,Synthesizer
Riley Geare   Drums,Percussion
Clay White   Trumpet
Jimmy Whispers   Vocals,Featured Artist
Ben Varian   Drums
Joachim Polack   Piano,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric)
Pearl & the Oysters   Featured Artist
Paul Cherry   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Jordana Nye   Composer
Dave Cooley   Mastering
Juliette Pearl Davis   Composer
Drew Vandenberg   Mixing
Dent May   Composer,Producer
Rob Carmichael   Design
Jeff Cohn   Photography
Aaron Denton   Logo Design
Harry Israelson   Artwork,Creative Director
Joachim Polack   Composer
Paul Cherry   Composer
Pat Jones   Engineer