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David Israel

The Year That Felt Like Two(Austin Town Hall)

REVIEWED BYRACHEL RASCOE,FRI., AUG. 10, 2018

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Tumbling troubadour over a dozen years of playful pop, David Israel’s fourth release plays out like a children’s story about a cartoon astronaut shot into space only to face a midlife crisis. Continuing Jonathan Richman-witty wordplay through an endearingly deep gravel delivery, the preschool teacher employs usual backers Stephen Svacina and Julia Hungerford on comforting bass and drums. A rotating cast of collaborators also enfolds Annecy Liddell’s twee backing and other orchestral additions.The Year That Felt Like Twosomersaults into action on energetic, empathetic “Car Commercial,” followed by the surf-charged “Life’s a Wave.” Machinery and existentialism collide with the declaration, “Somewhere there’s a secret portal/ If you go, you’ll be immortal.” Zany ramblings sustain the six-minute “Little Fishy,” juxtaposing technology and animals over pleasantly ramshackle, family-style instrumentals. The final two takes wander, “Coldwar Superchild” yielding gritty garage before decidedly dreamy diversion “Heat Is Escaping.” Throughout, the 10 tracks repeatedly space out into midsong breaks, channeling a time warp introspection necessitated by the past year of American tumult.