The Waking Hours “How Does It Feel”
Tom Richards (Guitar/Vocals) and his band The Waking Hours have always been a top notch band that we haven’t heard from in a few years. On this new EP, “How Does It Feel” – they kick up the power to “11” and rock a lot harder than you may be used to. “New Revolution” is fine power pop with a punk edge, a la The Jam. The next song “How Does It Feel” is a majestic mid-tempo number lead by Tom’s vocals and Sean Sutphin’s crashing drums that bring to mind Coldplay a bit. “Close To Me” is a Brit pop number with the echo and power chords , the kind Oasis used to chug out, but The Waking Hours make it look easy and it’s got some cool chord changes in the melody. Every song here is a winner, if only it had a few more tracks… Oh well, I’ll take what I can get here. Fans of Tsar, Rooney and Superdrag will love this.
My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame
gogoPilot “Armageddon Lullabies”
Straight from Charoltte, NC – the home of this summer’s PopFest, gogoPilot is the band of singer/songwriter Jeffrey Williams. He takes no prisoners in his latest, “Armageddon Lullabies.” The album is full of lush pop arrangements that have varied instrumentation like violin, cello, accordion and lap steel guitar. “Requiem For A Shut-In” starts with a catchy acordian and guitar that unfolds an introspective tale of depression. Likewise, “Electric Chair” has a full jangle sound that remind me of classic Wilco. This continues with “Quiet Town” and “Alcohol,” both haunting tales of the human condition that have great musical hooks. The kind of alt. country pop that Gary Louris and the Jayhawks used to do so well. Every song has a high quality of musicianship and Williams trademark biting commentary about life, divorce and alcoholism. Don’t miss this one.
My Space | CD Baby