The Offbeat “To The Rescue” EP
Fresh off his solo CD, Tony Cox is back with Darren Finlan and Nigel Clark (Dodgy) to follow up the Offbeat’s amazing debut album. The Beatlesque bliss that is the opener “She Can Make The Sunshine” displays the songwriting and dense harmonies that make this EP a welcome addition to your collection. The fast moving rhythm of “Someday Somehow” is a catchy follow up, as is the sweet jangle and ascending melody of “Something About The Girl.” Another highlight here for me is the ringing guitar strums of “Blue Sky,” a kind of mix of Merseybeat and Moody Blues-era pysche-pop. The lovely “You & Me” comes closer to the Magical Mystery Tour era musings on relationships. A toast then to The Offbeats, and I hope they continue to pump out this great music.
The Offbeat site | CD Baby | Itunes | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame
Josh Fix “This Town Is Starting To Make Me Angry” EP
Last year’s “Free At Last” was one of the best power pop debut albums ever, and Josh has followed it up with an even better EP. Josh opens thing with the very Jason Falkner-like “This Town Is Starting To Make Me Angry.” A seemingly odd sense of dread permeates the proceedings, although this is one of those “don’t-miss-it” album. The next track, “Dirty Bloody Naked” is simply brilliant. Full of gorgeous piano and pounding rhythm guitar riffs, it melds both Elton John and Queen in a tight Jellyfish-like bow. The driving piano lead in “Ghosts in Your Head” is a dramatic theme for Josh’s state of mind. My only pet peeve here is the confessional prayer of “Dear Lord.” The soulful ballad cries for a Freddy Mercury-like vocal high octave finale, but it never comes. “Barely Insane” rounds out things with a funky Mellotron melody and lasers. This mini-album is a spectacular triumph and gives Greg Pope a run for his money on best EP of the year. It’s available almost everywhere, so stop reading and buy it now.
Amen on Josh Fix!