Frank Lenz: Vilelenz and Thieves (Hidden Agenda)
rating: ***
release: March 21, 2006

In the promo photo of Frank Lenz holding a mic to what looks like a karaoke machine, he looks like a total science and technology geek, albeit a hip one. It also suggests his music is either really geeky or really experimental or both. In reality, the music of this arranger/producer (Pedro the Lion, Starflyer 59) is actually elegant, and at first quite eclectic before he settles down into quiet acoustic indie rock ala Elliott Smith. Vilelenz and Thieves begins with something out of the orchestral pages of Polyphonic Spree, while other times Lenz can easily draw comparisons to Yo La Tengo. Usually though, he's just very soft-spoken, even when he's saying "I've always been a fucking poseur." -Kenyon