The record label system’s decimation of Californian pop-rockers My American Heart demonstrated the commercial corruption and moral depravity of the music business (sadly, it is a business). The budding band were simply depleted; bullied; by the dispassionate, cold, greed-driven system, and they eventually disbanded in late-2009. When one door closes, another door is said to open; and for former-frontman Jesse Barrera, this meant instead of ‘hiding inside the horrible weather’ and relinquishing his music career, persevering - and creating his debut solo record, Love In Technicolor.
Straying away from the angsty-punch of My American Heart, Love In Technicolor is a quixotic, soothing, and introspective episode for Barrera, as can be inferred from the title. Independently written, produced, and released, Barrera engineers an acoustic, piano pop sound that is simple yet pleasing. Lyrically, the album is solely centered around themes of love - some thing which Barrera does proficiently, but a lack of variety stands out as the album’s handicap - especially with the instrumental simplicity and acoustic ambiance through out. The album’s supreme feature lies within Barrera’s soulful vocal performance, which is immaculate through out, reminiscing the second half of Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather.
The album’s glistening arrangements resonate from the start, with sensual opener “Tangled Up” setting the pace, before “Come To My Door” exhibits the album’s lyrical idealism and adventurous aspect, sounding similar to the slightly safer “Someday”. Barrera’s freedom means that the album features a host of guest appearances, as close friends AJ Rafael, Melissa Polinar, Charlie Gore and Ken Alminar are enlisted.
