The Mayflies USA “Kickless Kids”
The Mayflies USA are power pop heroes from North Carolina, combining big electric guitars and big pop hooks. Chris Stamey of the dB’s produced the group’s first two albums, ‘Summertown’ (1999) and ‘The Pity List (2000)’. After 23 years, these guys are back, produced, recorded, and mixed by Tim Harper (The Connells) and Chris Stamey helps out again as well. The band’s indie cred is intact with the opener “Thought the Rain Was Gone” with band members Matt Long, Matt McMichaels and Adam Price realizing they “can’t go back in time,” but they can still write a musical hook that sticks. “Calling the Bad Ones Home” is equally impressive, balancing the catchy chorus with a solid layered rhythm and a sober vocal approach akin to Old 97’s. The title track continues this pleasant Southern journey, as it slows a little on “Less Lost,” but things pick up again on the solid “Cabbagetown.”
If you grew up on a diet of the Chapel Hill focused sound (The dB’s, Peter Holsapple, Don Dixon, REM) this is pure comfort food. Its got a nice mix of power pop, alt. country and rock. While it doesn’t quite recall the rocking days of old, this is a more mature group and the mellow vibe is the primary sound here. Highly recommended.
Tasmo “Keeps Me Up at Night!”
Tasmo is an indie rock band from Seattle that crafts catchy, short DIY songs. Kicking off with “Maryanne,” it serves as a strong introduction with its lively vocals and guitar highlights. The blend of early ’80s power pop and ’60s songwriting simplicity is a familiar reference, yet Tasmo’s lead singer Duffy Graham maintains a limited vocal range, particularly on the subsequent track “Wha’ Do I Care?” While this style is reminiscent of Uni Boys, it tends to stay true to its unique sound without much tonal variation. The album improves when they incorporate more rhythm guitar in “Only Got One,” featuring its dynamic stop-start key changes.
I enjoyed the dreamy “I’m Getting A Band Together,” which is filled with that pure enthusiasm reminiscent of the early Beach Boys albums (though lacking the harmonies). The story “The Day That Tatie Got Shot” about a hunting mishap almost comes off as a parody or novelty tune, and it concludes powerfully with “This Time it’s For Real.” Although this is a solid beginning, I eagerly anticipate more from Tasmo.
