The Bradburys “Don’t Pump The Swingset”
Produced by Jeff Murphy, The Bradburys latest EP fits nicely in the midwestern power pop category (Shoes, Cheap Trick, Material Issue). Highlights include the bouncy “Mary Goes Around” with it’s catchy chorus, and the Beatlesque mid-tempo “She’s From Liverpool” about a dream girl who dresses right and listens to all your favorite music, and vocalist Jake Blake leading the gentle harmonies. They break out the 60’s psyche-pop organ for “Perfume Counter Girl” and “My Big Hello” is another hook filled gem about making a good first impression. The bonus tracks here just about make this an LP with a few tunes from other Bradbury releases, including “Go-Go” with it’s muscle riffs and “I Love It When It Snows” from a Christmas release. Overall a nice addition to your power pop collection and I hear the group is working on a new full length release very soon. I can’t wait to hear what’s next.
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The Flying Machines “s/t”
You have to appreciate a band with as much persistence as The Flying Machine. Originally we “discovered” them as The Attorneys in 2007. Then they changed their name and have slowly earned the respect of audiences and journalists. “On A Whim” continues to be a rock solid single, a mix of The Strokes and Queen on speed. The opener “Talk About It” starts with a light reggae beat and resembles Maroon 5 slightly with a blistering guitar solo. The production here is crisp and straightforward without loosing any of it’s melodic energy. William Ryan George (vocals, keyboards) has a driving vocal approach often compared to Freddie Mercury, and he’s joined by John Wlaysewski (guitars), Ken Weisbach (drums) and Evan Joyce (bass). The guitar melodies are anchored by a solid rhythm section on the soaring “Stay” which make it a second strong single here. Added gems here are the anthemic “I Can’t Stop” and tortured “Gina, Don’t Call Me.” The latter half of the album adds some Billy Joel styled keyboard acrobatics to the Zepplin guitar riffs on “Hopelessly Alone” and the dramatic closer “Clearing The Boards.” After several listens these latter tracks reveal to be the groups strength. If you missed this band years ago, this is the year to jump on the bandwagon for the ride.