A hazy, fuzzy rock appeal enamors throughout Bougainvillea, the new album from Darren Sullivan. Classic, garage, and grunge influences impart an engaging passion alongside lusher contemplation, resulting in a sound that appeals in its diverse emotional arsenal and melodic consistency — at points reminding fondly of The Replacements in that sense of rock-minded variety. “Part of the Flow” kicks off the album with a more vigor-full rock mind, melding awakening vocal contemplation with a steady dose of brisk percussion and warming guitar distortion. A hypnotic rock edge stirs past the two-minute turn, as the vocals momentarily fade.
In the more delectably lethargic realm, “Out of the Black” infuses dazed vocal layers amidst murmuring guitar subtleties. Twangy guitars accompany the “into the sun, and out of the black” vocal hypnotics, continuing the wonderfully debonair rock drive. “Hesitation Blues” is another star in that subdued yet magnetic rock sound, particularly when expressive guitar work emanates across the final minute. Ending the album, “Mistaken Identity” admits “you win some, you lose some,” as jangling guitars and pit-pattering percussion surround, putting a bow on a fully enveloping rock success from Darren Sullivan.
