Few musicians have carved a career as strange and wonderful as that of financial guru Warren Buffett’s second son Peter. After decades of electronic-based instrumental albums and Native American-themed works – one of which landed in “Dances with Wolves” – Buffett didn’t sing a note into a microphone until 2006, at which point he clearly caught the bug. Imaginary Kingdom is his third vocal album in as many years, and while it shares the one-man-show aspect of his other work – one could call Buffett a forefather of bedroom pop – the sum is more than one man jamming with himself. The rhythm section is simple, yes, but warm, something most self-made records lack. Aqualung’s Matt Hales surely wishes he had written “Set Me Free,” and Joseph Arthur could slip “Can I (Again)” into his set without anyone batting an eye. It’s all perfectly pleasant, though he creates a disconnect whenever he runs his vocals through what sounds like an Autotuner (“Ready”). He clearly loves playing with his machines, but what makes Imaginary Kingdom so endearing is its human element. He may be late to the pop game, but better late than never. (BeSide Records 2008)
