Patrick Cleandenim: Baby Comes Home

Patrick Cleandenim loves Scott Walker. That much is clear from the rich, poppy orchestrations of his ’60s gazing tunes. These songs evoke sunny summer, mid-’60s British days of clever mod fashions, or Burt Bacharach scored martini parties. Sounds lovely, but for the fact that Cleandenim is, in point of fact, a mere whippersnapper of 22, writing and recording his songs in the heartland of America — Lawrence, Kansas no less. Cleandemin shows a lot of promise. His songs are very catchy and rooted in fine songwriting fundamentals and attention to detail and shoot-for-the-moon pop hooks. Still, he could use a little seasoning. His voice can be a bit underwhelming and thin for songs as good as these, and he could perhaps add a bit of restraint as he grows into a more mature artist, not feeling the need to pack each track with the whole kitchen sink. Still, I applaud his innate talents and ambition to pen pop classics.