Stepping away from electronic Americana and heading towards tropical folk, ‘Straight Answer Machine’ is Samuel Flynn Scotts’ second solo performance that supports his song writing potential. ‘Straight Answer Machine’ leads us on a mystical journey through his ideological landscapes and on through good hard times.
Scott, being the exceptional songwriter that he is, has created yet another album filled with singles, and because of his single writing ability, the album is somewhat fragmented. Single upon single, without the ensnaring connectivity of his preceding records.
The album artwork is quality. Using Jacob Walker from the phoenixes ‘Happy Ending’ fame, highlights the utopian image ‘Llewellyn’ jumps in to. Looking at the great, misunderstood architecture Wellington has to offer, a flattering compliment to the soft spoken ‘Bunnies of Ponies’.
Scott is this time accompanied by ‘The Bunnies on Ponies’, which he has made numerous appearances with in his live shows. The B.O.P. is a mix of the bastard child’s of Wellington music, but collectively churns out the tight, usable sound Scott would’ve been looking for.
Standout single ‘Raver on Probation’ is reminiscent of a self-inflicted, good hard time, but the Dylanesque ‘All My Dreams’ is by far the most refined and emotive piece of on album. The joyous but intriguingly emotive nature of the single makes this a live favorite.
Straight Answer Machine lacks the electronic elements that made ‘The Hunt Brings Us Life’ so intriguing, but the newfound folk direction definitely is an interesting one. If this sound could be incorporated into the progressive, interlinking structure of his previous albums (namely ‘Pegasus’), then it would enhance the creditability of his natural song writing abilities even more.
4/5
Craig Johnson
