Mars Pennsylvania is the perfect example of why
John Southworth is a love or hate proposition: The lyrics are unfailingly literate and interesting, and the musical arrangements eccentric and interesting, but
Southworth has a pinched-off nasal vocal delivery somewhat reminiscent of
Frank Sidebottom; in other words, it's a bit hard to take seriously on a cursory listen. Give it some time, though, and
Southworth hooks you utterly. "Man If We Could Surf Forever More" veers wildly between jangle pop and death metal, while other numbers bring to mind
Kurt Weill-style cabaret pop. Various UFO/alien references serve to carve out his status as an outsider, but
Southworth actually out-Morrisseys Morrissey with the tragic teen anthem "This Halloween I Go As Me." It's not to everyone's taste, that's for sure, but if you dig this kind of thing even a little, you'll love this album. ~ Sean Carruthers