Michael Lynch, “Mr. Monster / Going the Wrong Way” (2014): One Track Mind

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Just in time for Halloween comes this new single from the one and only Michael Lynch, who is no stranger to injecting dribs and drabs of humor into his artfully-crafted pop rock songs.

An intentional novelty, “Mr. Monster” (Nanker Records) communicates the age-old sorrow of a fellow smitten with a lady who is already taken. Our heartsick narrator asks the terrifying-looking Mr. Monster to do him a favor and frighten the object of his affection’s love. The scared boyfriend will then run away, allowing the pining prince-in-waiting to scoop up his girl and live happily ever after.

I won’t reveal how the saga ends, but I will say what a great little tune “Mr. Monster” is, with its fierce hook lines and jiggly, jagged bubblegum beat.

The flipside of the single, “Going The Wrong Way” sounds like a classic 1960s freakout instrumental played backwards. Shrieking with dizzying rhythms, squiggly patterns, and distortion by the pound, the track is a sheer psychedelic delight. Both a trick and a treat, “Mr. Monster / Going The Wrong Way” is the perfect balance of goofiness and genius!

Beverly Paterson