Pop Co-Op “Factory Settings”
Steve Stoeckel (The Spongetones) is back with his collaborative band The Pop Co-Op; Bruce Gordon (guitar and keyboards) Stacy Carson (drums) and Joel Tinnel (guitar). The fact that the band members record their parts miles away from each other matters not. Stoeckel’s unmistakable pop melody comes through on “No Man’s Land” an uncannily prescient song about the isolation that fits these times perfectly. And those harmonies! The pop gem “Kissing Katy” boasts some nice drum work, handclaps, and an acoustic guitar break. Next, “Flaws of Attraction” has a quirky story-song approach similar to They Might Be Giants and lots of neat harmonic contrast.
The jangling guitar riff, and bouncy tempo of “Catching Light” recalls XTC at their most buoyant. Other songs shift statistically, and “To the Sea” is a simple ballad with Stoeckel on the ukulele that suddenly enters deep psyche-pop territory before coming back. There is enough variation throughout the 14 tracks, so you will not be bored. Highlights include: “The Price of Admission,” “Sleeve” and the odd boogie-woogie “Won’t Be Me.” Highly Recommended.
Dolph Chaney “Rebuilding Permit”
Chicago songwriter Dolph Chaney starts his album with “I’m OK,” a bouncy affirmation that has a homespun quality similar in approach to Chris Breetveld, but with an underlying darkness. “If I Write It Down” also feels like a therapeutic exercise set to pop music, and it’s an emotionally honest, compelling song. “The Handling” is about handling a loved one’s death through the riffs of a guitar solo, and much of the remaining songs on the album are bleak.
Another standout here is the ballad “A Good Road Is Hard To Find” where the repeating acoustic riff feels like the hangover morning after an all-night bender. The bluesy solo here is a perfect fit too. While this might not be for everyone, the emotional journey is definitely worth the trip through the darkness. It’s music that deserves to be heard.
Amazon | Big Stir Records | Kool Kat Musik