CD Review: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti -- 'Mature Themes'

'Mature Themes'
ARIEL PINK'S HAUNTED GRAFFITI
3 stars

In an odd twist on the title of Ariel Pink's latest, the rocker was hit last week with a lawsuit by the band's ex-drummer, claiming co-credit for the songs appearing on "Mature Themes." As Pink sings on the title track, he's looking back at "35 years of my life spent computing it all," but there will likely be some long division in his near future. It's a sad note that such an affecting take on the role that best intentions play in serious relationships is delivered under black clouds, but it shouldn't detract from what amounts to a wonderfully weird vision of love. Lo-Fi legend Pink had a critical breakthrough with 2010's "Before Today," and here continues his trend toward fully realized pop while retaining his inveterate otherness.