Delicate, simple pop songs with an emotional spiral twist, the album has its shining moments. Vanderslice's relaxed voice fits the lightweight pop songs as his deadpan approach musters up enough energy to carry the bouncy, hook-centric melodies.

However, the lo-fi mindset of the well-recorded, well-produced pop gems takes them down a notch. The Ben Barnett-penned "Interlude #5" and the close-to-Ben Barnett-sounding "Nikki Oh Nikki" mark low points for the album. "Nikki Oh Nikki" tries to pull on your heartstring like an annoying Kind of Like Spitting song (something that Vanderslice should try to avoid), rather than keeping with the Vanderslice-flavor on the rest of the album. I'll give it a C.

John Vanderslice: Cellar Door

John Vecchiarelli: Songs From Whoville

[Issue Forty-Seven // April 2002]