Nicholas Krgovich's L.A. Dream

Nicholas Krgovich's "Along the PCH on Oscar Night" contains one of the most depressing lyrical images I've ever encountered in a song. While cinematic strings shimmer atop a funky soul-pop pulse, Krgovich imagines driving down the Pacific Coast Highway as he delivers flowery R&B vocal runs and sighs, "Something is happening 'cross town without me again." As lush female harmonies rise up in the chorus, they ask, "What's so special about you, boy?" The unspoken answer, clearly, is "nothing."

But wait, I haven't gotten to the really depressing bit yet! The real kicker comes at the very end of the chorus, when Krgovich sings, "With the top down, hair flying around / Hats blowing off into the ocean." After all that disappointment and isolation, losing a hat is fate's way of kicking him when he's down. It's both hilarious and a complete bummer.

This song is typical of Krgovich's new album, On Sunset, which was released last month and is an immaculately produced pop opus about the spirit-crushing loneliness of living in the City of Angels. The singer -- who has previously led projects like No Kids, P:ano and Gigi, but now goes by his own name -- peppers his lyrics with debutantes, mansions, starry hills and swimming pools. These glamorous props serve the sole purpose of reinforcing his sense of alienation.

I don't mean to suggest that the album is unpleasant to listen to. The ornate, majestic production is beautiful, and Krgovich's enviable pop talents benefit from a huge network of collaborators. There are 26 guest musicians listed on the back of the sleeve -- not accounting for producers and other technical contributors -- with some of the most notable names including New Pornographers members Kathryn Calder and John Collins, trumpeter JP Carter (Destroyer, Dan Mangan + Blacksmith), Pacific Northwest indie vet Karl Blau, and violinist Jesse Zubot (Dan Mangan + Blacksmith, Tanya Tagaq). The ballads are gorgeously aching, and the upbeat numbers are smoothly swaggering.

For those seeking a starker vision of fear and loathing in Los Angeles, Krgovich has also recorded another version of the same material called On Cahuenga. This was recorded live to tape, and features only the songwriter's voice and electric piano playing. It's due out on Nov. 25.

Perhaps these excellent songs will find a large audience, and Krgovich will achieve the acceptance and adoration that eludes him in the lyrics of On Sunset. But something tells me that, even if Krgovich were to hit the big time in Los Angeles, he'd find fame every bit as lonely as anonymity.