There was a time when reviewers applied the word “quirky” to every pop record that was just a little eccentric. But local songwriter Devin Johnson is quirky and proud of it. He made a small mark locally with a single called “Trump Ruined My Sex Life” (not included here), which was funny enough if you could find any humor in the subject matter. The same guy turns up again on this album (he’s named as one of the excuses in “I Only Drink Cuz I’m Depressed”)—fortunately, a few more pleasant things do as well.

As a songwriter Johnson tries to hold a line between finding humorous song angles and saying something serious within them. “Jesus is Gone” has a few lines about who Jesus would be today (a cranky two-thousand-year-old) but makes the point that “Piety is no excuse for treating people like shit.” “Haircut” laments having to get one for a day job but turns into a deeper thought about time and compromise. And the aforementioned drinking song is an argument against drinking, disguised as a justification for it. A few of these songs call for more fleshed-out arrangements or for vocal range Johnson hasn’t quite got, but his lyrical skills carry him through.

The best tracks are more surprising, since they’re straight-ahead power pop. “Don’t Have Time for You” has an appealing Beatlesque tune and arrangement, possibly to alleviate the nastiness in the lyric. “Love You More” is a sweet romantic tune that breaks the fourth wall by speaking directly to the lady it’s written for. If I were Johnson, I’d probably focus more on this kind of quality but un-quirky material—but then again, I once gave the same advice to They Might Be Giants, and not taking it did them no harm.

Devin Johnson