Wake Up & Smell The Baconstein On 'Brighter Side' w/ Gustafer Yellowgold

This Fall brings Brighter Side, the eighth full-length Gustafer Yellowgold release from GrammyTM nominated songwriter/cartoonist Morgan Taylor. The new album thematically expands on the two stories of the series' protagonist, friendly alien Gustafer Yellow- gold, from his current life in Minnesota back to his years spent growing up on the Sun.

Life themes of being your own person and following your own path coupled with the good and the bad of those choices fill the album and provoke dramatic and passionate feelings. Taylor views childhood as, "A whirlwind of emotions that turn drastically on a dime. Gustafer's evolutional journey of self-awareness mirrors the development of the child at around the age of 8-9, when we realize our point of view is our own and we exist separately from our parents and the world." This new duality creates the question: can you see the "Brighter Side?"

Unlike previous DVD/CD sets, Brighter Side is the first music-only release, and has a clear half-and-half delineation between "Earth songs" and "Sun songs" as Taylor seeks to deepen the story of Gustafer's struggle during his former life on the Sun. The opening track, "Brighter Side," undoubtedly the most relatable and comforting song on the collection, is about the concept of balance in life and reminds us that "nothing is impossible" and to keep dreaming. "Ride A Line O' Stars" came to Taylor in a dream complete with its country shuffle and vivid imagery is about traveling through a spacey mystery into the unknown. The comical "Hot Nights" details Gustafer's experiences with torturous heat- based insomnia on the sun and features special guest and friend Pat Sansone of Wilco. On the synth-pop "The Carvery" the rebellious young alien complains of familial work expectations while the more Broadway stage like romp, "King Of The Sun" has him shunning the popular Solarian life-aspiration to rule. Thankfully Gustafer also introduces "Ellen Lemon" through a platonic love song about his sun-based best friend and confi- dante, proving life there wasn't all bad.

Earth songs include the upbeat retro "Lucky Day," and the grooving, forest party anthem "Meet Me By The Fun," which both illustrate Gustafer's current charmed life in the woods of Minnesota. "Window" is a relaxed tune about being content watching the busy world outside your window while sitting still. "Baconstein," however, shows that Earth can have its own hazards, personalities and egos to navigate when Gustafer's previous- ly known nemesis (and fan favorite) Cakenstein creates a partner in crime to seek re- venge on him. It's a reminder again that there is good and bad and tension and ease in everything. The standout album closer, "I Love The Night" is another dream- inspired song that delivers an epic orchestral arrangement and dreamy spoken word section which delves into the lovely mysteries of night. The album concludes with a lush and mellow anniversary edition of the popular "I Jump On Cake" off Taylor's first album from 2005.

Taylor's music has always been built to stand on its own, but after 12 years of video- based releases (with a hand-drawn video for each song on the album), Brighter Side puts the visuals into the listener's head with wild and vivid lyrical imagery. Videos for many songs on the album will however be regularly rolling out online over the course of the following months starting with "Lucky Day", "Hot Nights" and "Baconstein". Addition- ally, Taylor will be touring around the country this fall in support of the release. Stay tuned to gustaferyellowgold.com for updates and tour dates.

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