When first hit with this vibrant blast of pop, you almost think Justin Kline’s Triangle is some sort of parody record, it’s so over-the-top. Once you get over the initial shock of this synthesized pop candy, you can recognize the influence of decades past—mainly early ’60s jukebox numbers and some doo-wop sensibility. Still, even the most avid fans of music of the bounciest and most synth-heavy kind may be overwhelmed by this four-song EP, and Kline’s needling vocals, like what one would expect from a ’90s pop punk band, only add to the headache.
Kline was recording a 7” that was stolen from his Nashville studio in addition to some of his equipment, hence the release of this “meantime” EP to hold his fans over. In the first track, “Baby You’re a Mess,” Kline advises, “take your things and move on because a vampire’s not your friend.” Whether or not this has anything to do with the Twilightsaga is uncertain, but the lyrics are backed by the blast of a giddy key melody. It’s followed with the rat-a-tat percussion and key-driven carnie waltz of “Please Go Away,” and the aforementioned ’60s pop influence in “Alison, We Cannot Be Friends.”
Kline is partial to making carnival music, it seems, and it’s catchy and entertaining to a degree. Kline isn’t a bad lyricist, either, as shown in last track “Coffee Song.” But Triangle isn’t everyday, anywhere music. It’s better suited for live performance, and outside of a music festival or fair, it would be a bit excessive.