Q-Burns Abstract Message – Invisible Airline

For his second album, INVISIBLE AIRLINE, Q-Burns Abstract Message relies more heavily on his guest vocalist -- in this case, the inimitable Lisa Shaw. "Hey! Star City" sees him going even more psychedelic than before, which carries into "Shame," though Shaw grounds it with her earthy vocals. Better yet, when she's given her space on "Differently," that track catapults right into your heart. Same goes with the sparkling house of "Innocent." On a different tack, the Delta blues of "Mother's Dead" has a gritty charm which is unique in the Q-Burns oeuvre, as is the rock stylings on "Drifting Off." But the presence of these strong vocals also means that the instrumental tracks sort of disappear (as does the middling rap of "Imprisoned Glitch"). But when you have the pure funk of "You Are My Battlestar," or the dub stylings of "This Time" that should be enough. "Dreamland" ends the album on an appropriately dreamy note. Is Q-Burns going in a more pop direction? Sure, and it works.