Philadelphia singer-songwriter KURT VILE (yes, that's his real name) delivers his spectacular MATADOR debut. "Childish Prodigy" is a rich tapestry of rock and folk sounds, with Kurt at his most intriguing when he turns on the "cruising the freeway" ambiance of TOM PETTY or Street Legal-era BOB DYLAN, amidst trippier hints of SPACEMEN 3 to SKIP SPENCE. Occasionally lo-fi, occasionally lustrous, the album ranges from pounding rockers like "Hunchback" and "Freak Train", to gorgeous folky numbers like "Overnite Religion" and "Amplifier." Oh and for you train spotters, there's also a DIM STARS cover (Richard Hell and Thurston Moore's early '90s supergroup), plus two hidden tracks.
