Everyone knows it gets cold in Wisconsin. That and they make the cheese. What you maybe didn't know is that there is a tiny little record label called Winterlander and they released a modest little album called "Charlemagne" by a guy named Carl Johns who goes by Charlemagne when he's making albums called "Charlemagne." You might also have forgotten that Johns is half of the NoahJohns country experiment (Speakeasy Records) you've heard so little about. So Wisconsin really has a lot going on right now. Especially with the cheese.
Luckily there is very little dairy to be heard on "Charlemagne," but you should get a sense of the long, cold winters and how weird it can make some people. Seriously, dig the guy's mustache. And antlers.
This is pretty descent odd-ball pop with an emphasis on Johns' vocal performance. An airy, light reverb adds dreamy sensuality to his barely perceptible twang and slightly gay sounding sibilance. Lyrics conjure familiar, sometimes goofy, sometimes sweet, characters while the music creates the setting - homey, quirky but not weird, and still shaking the last frosts of winter. There should be lots of Beach Boys references to the pop feel of things, but you'll also find some My Morning Jacket in the rural, vacant bar-room sound. Check out "August Evenings" for starters and go from there.
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