Artist Marty Finkel

There’s a slight twinge of self-doubt in Marty Finkel’s voice and production that makes his stripped-down folk rock seem kindly and timid rather than lazy. Considering his adoration of Elliott Smith (he reportedly has “XO” tattooed on his wrist) it’s not surprising, but if Finkel’s own writing wasn’t so good, he might come across as little more than a copycat. Extensive recording and a willingness to battle his stage fright, though, has breathed some hipster goofball energy into his nasal croon likening his vocals to Jens Lekman, a similarly limited singer who gets by on loads of charm. But unlike Lekman’s bombastic orchestration, Finkel prefers the clip-clop percussion and lonesome guitar of “Lately I’ve Been Worrying” and chugging three-chord rock of “Annabelle Gentry” off his most recent, The Good Life. 

Updated 12/14/2010