Sad Eyed Beatniks is the solo recording project of Kevin Linn, the founder of the Paisley Shirt Records cassette label that specializes in the very alternative end of the jangle-pop spectrum, with acts such as Flowertown, Galore, April Magazine, and R.E. Seraphin all among the best of the sounds of the obtuse end of the genre.

Linn’s act sits easily at the same table of such greats and indeed would be considered by many as being worthy of being the label’s flagship act, especially with the critical acclaim afforded Claudia’s Ethereal Weaver album, which was afforded a vinyl release by Meritorio Records in 2022.

Fruitful Corner is dutifully and gloriously weird. Initiated with a Culture-Lite track that moves towards the no-wave end of Post-Punk, the Chrome type aesthetic starts the album with a no-jangle outlier that compels with it’s haunting, semi-deranged Public Image Ltd like vocal pain and startling saxophone.

Twang then tethers the remaining tracks to Linn’s alternative jangle-pop signature, “normality.” Bonnie Dash and Reading Palms with Mr.Chan, drift flat stringed Yo La Tengo twanging riffs in around rumbling dense basslines, whereas the stand out Freedom Fighter Portrait grapples at Dylan’s indie folk edges.

Of course, in typical Linn style everything is augmented by the best of a lo-fi production that is so raw it could be consider “no-fi” and an constant deference to Television Personalities style irreverence.

Those with stomach to explore the very end of the jangle-pop spectrum are always well rewarded with this act and his label.

OUR FAVOURITES

SOCIAL MEDIA

INSTAGRAM

FULL RELEASE