Michael Benjamin Lerner is Telekinesis. Lerner is also an American that managed to make an English-sounding debut album. This 22-year-old alone created Telekinesis!, which was then produced and engineered by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla. An eclectic mix of typical indie sounds and some 60s-inspired surf-pop, Lerner’s first musical foray is varied to say the least. Some tracks are like 50s doo-wop, some have more of a moody Killers-esque feel. Tokyo has catchy lyrics and droning guitars, and despite the American accent still manages to sound like old Brit-pop. This could be his father’s influence – he purportedly used to thrash The Beatles in their household. But it could also be the year Lerner spent abroad in Liverpool during his school days. Wherever it came from, the British influence is there, particularly in the fun ditty Imaginary Friend, which emulates the effective simplicity of The Beatles although not quite as well.

Telekinesis! is a pretty decent debut album, full of many catchy lyrics and poppy guitars. It is nothing amazing, but it certainly grows on you as you progress along the track list.