The Mommyheads and Stephen Clair
The Mommyheads “One Eyed Band”
The Mommyheads are a Brooklyn band with a long history and a unique indie pop sound that revolves around lead singer songwriter Adam Elk and the band members: Dan Fisherman, Jason McNair, Michael Holt and Barry Pollack. Both experimental and meticulous, the album opens up with “Chicken Soup” the most conventional song here, with its extraterrestrial cues. The thought-provoking funk on “Life is A Dream” wanders across different melody lines. The hooks are here, although it may take a few plays to uncover them.
Melodic and angular “Season of Our Sound,” and “One Eyed Man” follows contrasting rhythmic patterns, something Andy Partridge (XTC) was known for as well. The beautiful acoustic melody of “Human Being” is a deep and moving song, I wish it “opened up” to a layered production — but it stays acoustic. The band plays flawlessly here and the melody lines are never predictable. “Junk” is a perfect example of this, as it stitches together a patchwork of classic pop, jazz, folk, and theatrical themes. While not power pop, it is thinking man’s pop. Check it out. You can even download this at a “name-your-price,” so what’s stopping you?
Stephen Clair “Transmissions”
Stephen Clair’s new studio effort is a tightly composed bit of americana rock. The simple instrumentation masks the complex songwriting and distinctive attitude. The influences here are similar to Alex Chilton, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed. Starting with the pensive “Waiting Around” it sets the stage and its a great start. Clair’s storytelling style, evident on “Vegas Sunrise” is akin to Ray Davies (The Kinks), and it also goes into a vintage pop mid-tempo area (“Blue and Red Lines”).
“Cigarette! Cigarette!” and “Naomi’s Phone Is Dead” are easily relatable to an audience that enjoys the music of The Velvet Underground, or Brick by Brick-era Iggy Pop. While not everything works, there is enough here to recommend and you should check it out, as it’s music that deserves to be heard.
Power Popaholic Interview: Joy Buzzer
Jed Beck and KG Noble of Joy Buzzer
This was a local New York City rookie band last year that stepped up to the “big leagues” and got signed to Wicked Cool Records this year. I was lucky enough to chat with songwriter Jed Becker and bassist KG Noble about the band origins and the new album “Pleased to Meet You.” Do not miss this top-ten rated album! Read the album review here. | Buy the album here: AmazonCheck out the IPO performance here:
More singles and EPs: Aloud, The Well Wishers, Tommy Lorente, Cupid’s Nemesis, Dom Mariani, The Modbeats
Joy Buzzer and Willie Dowling
Joy Buzzer “Pleased to Meet You”
The band was founded in 2021 and features Kevin Lydon on lead vocals, with Jed Becker on guitar and writing the tunes; KG Noble on guitar and vocals; Nick DeMatteo on bass and vocals, and Mark Brotter on drums. The opener is the band’s first single “Judy Judy Judy,” with its catchy chorus and Jed Becker’s layered guitars recall 80s classic hooks, and the solo break even touched on prog/psyche rock. Kevin Lydon’s vocal perfectly fits and help give the band its signature sound.
It amps the energy up even more on “You’d Be Surprised,” a Beatlesque gem akin to The Weeklings. “Jeanette” brings us back down to earth, as a mid tempo tune with unexpected key shifts and stellar harmonies. There is something here for every power pop fan, from heavier rockers like “The Secret Word” and “You Don’t Even Know My Name” (which was voted coolest song by Stevie Van Zandt’s Underground Garage) to lighter pop gems like “Mamaroneck” and “All These Yesterdays.” The quirky and catchy come together on “Try Not To Be An Asshole,” a personal favorite of mine. While a few songs seemed formulaic, I couldn’t find a bad song here. When its all killer and no filler, it’s definitely on my top ten list for 2024. Super highly recommended!
Willie Dowling “The Simpleton”
Willie Dowling (Dowling Poole, Jackdaw4) goes solo here and displays his formidable melodic talents. The songs are almost prog-pop with dramatic builds on “Let Us Begin” including an operatic piano solo loaded with violins, about a slowly unfolding armageddon. The story continues “Long Drop Down” a compelling tale of a poisonous world “where the liars and the cheats prevail.” Dowling’s influences remain Roy Wood, XTC, 10cc, and a sprinkling of Sparks theatricality. Unlike his other works, most of these songs are piano led, and it sounds similar to a stage show soundtrack.
The concept album follows modern political nihilism, the title track “the Simpleton” is a bio of a TV pundit with a solid cascading melody followed by the dramatic chorus of “Sadie Goldman,” a lost soul that follows a road to illusion. “Down the Slide” continues the story of the evil corporate media; “don’t you let the truth get in your way.” It ends with the beautiful ballad “In The Ocean,” and while Willie’s musicianship is stellar, the distinctly bleak worldview might put off some. But if you are a fan of the band Skeleton Staff, you will definitely love this. Highly Reccomended.
