On November 1st, Bay Area guitar teacher, artist, writer, and one half of the band Forbidden Lover, Nick Stone released McCartney VI on the Oakland-based label FREAKS. Described as his “own tribute/playful challenge to the great Macca,” there’s definitely some Paul in the music, but it’s hard not to hear the influence of 90s britpop, midwest emo, and power pop as well. An intensely personal record, he played, programmed, or sampled all the instruments. Indeed, listening to it feels a bit like sneaking a peek at Nick Stone’s diary, the heartfelt lyrics like poetry.
