Geoffrey Bond of Maryland Roots Music on Ornamental Monsters
“The song arrangements and instrumentation on Ornamental Monsters are striking… With this varied approach to songwriting combined with sophisticated lyrics and first-rate musicianship, Baker has created a compelling work with Ornamental Monsters. It’s rare that an album so ambitious succeeds so thoroughly.”
Helen Jones of Americana UK on Ornamental Monsters
The songs on Ornamental Monsters contain “perfectly executed and rich harmonies” that add to Baker’s vocals which are delivered with “a sense of unguarded vulnerability,” allowing “his words to land with extra impact.“ They contain “clever, well-composed lyrics” that “explore the darker side of love” and occasionally “slip into psychedelia.” Ultimately, Baker’s songs “wrestle with the meaning of it all,” placing his lyrics “up there with some of the best songwriters.”
Jonathan Smith of Americana UK on Buyer’s Remorse
Buyer’s Remorse delivers “a set of songs with highly literate lyrics.” It’s a record filled with “lovely musical moments” and “gripping musical vignettes,” and “plenty of rich textures… The most obvious thing is that Baker is a man who loves words; he clearly cares deeply about his art, and has spent time crafting lyrics that are carefully chosen and articulate. There are really no mis-steps, there is no clumsiness or accidental obtuseness, plenty of allegory and allusion.”
Poet Beth Knapp
