The Lolas “A Dozen Or Seven Tapestries”
After a 13 year absence, Tim Boykin has reformed The Lolas and the band hasn’t lost its ability to create catchy melodies and sweet harmonies with loud raucous guitars. Boykin is joined by drummer Shea Rives and bassist Jeff Waites, and together they pick up where the band left off. This impressive Kool Kat label debut displays a tight musical combo playing ten solid cuts of prime power pop.
The title track blasts from the speakers with bright clear vocals and a dominant riff leading the way. The influences are classic (The Beatles, The Ramones, Big Star) and the relentless hooks keep on coming. “DJ Girl” is a great mid-tempo pop gem, and “Bon Voyage” is a fast tempo melody with a driving guitar rhythm. The psychedelic “Wish You Were Loud Enough” seems slightly out of place, but “Assailant” leads with a wicked fuzz bassline and multi-tracked harmonies. The not-safe-for-work “Lightning Mountain” is probably the most beautiful jangling Rickenbacker melody to contain the f-word. Not a single note of filler and yes, this also makes my crowded top ten list this year. It’s also worth noting that The Lolas have a new LP coming out early January. Boykin has a new crew playing on this one, and it’s likely to be one of my first reviews of 2020.
Matthew Milia “Alone at St. Hugo”
Singer Matthew Milia (Frontier Ruckus) helped his old band earn fame based on his finely honed songwriting skills. He turns to the nostalgia of his youth during Catholic school as the subject matter and his sound seems to squarely fit in-between Ben Folds and Elliot Smith. Opening with soothing California styled pop of “‘Alive At The Same Time” has an easy-going jangling melody and smooth Beach Boys styled harmonies. “Puncture” has that stream of consciousness lyric about life and self-acceptance. “Congratulations Honey” is a steel pedal ballad that looks back on his “white trash town,” and then the jangle comes back on the compelling “Attention Students” that recalls the Jayhawks or Wilco.
The songs vividly describe an intimate portrait, a great example being “Swollen Home” about mundane suburban living; the ambiance comes through each verse. “Abruptly Old And Caffeinated” picks up the tempo, the verses work poetically and then a key change in the latter half make it another keeper. While not every song is a slow ballad, all the songs emanate a feeling of bittersweet melancholy. The lack of hooks or tonal variety work against the album, but it’s the skillful musicianship and writing that make this an album that deserves to be heard.
