Dana Countryman “Come Into My Studio”
Dana Countryman is a true craftsman of retro adult pop, and for his latest album, he literally takes you on a “tour” of his musical menagerie with plenty of contributing guests; Brian Gari, Ronnie D’Addario, Dee Long, Probyn Gregory, Matt Tyson, Kai Danzberg, Chad Quist, Scott Bennett, Scott McPherson, Tricia Countryman and Kirkcaldy McKenzie.
This album is really for fans of glossy AM pop in the vein of The Carpenters, Captain & Tennille, and Christopher Cross. “Come Into My Studio” is a breezy intro, and then the catchy “Take A Little Chance” sparkles through the speakers, much like those boy-girl pop gems Neil Sedaka used to write. The hooks are all over highlights like “Ecstasy,” “Where Can My Baby Be?” And “Every Time You Break My Heart.” The early Beatle-isms are all over the gem “Better Let Her Go,” and “Same Old Dream” is like an old variety show routine, with a tap dance interlude!
Several tunes bring to mind TV themes, like “It Happens Every Time” and “You Gotta Love Jeanne Marie.” Dana’s music can sometimes be a bit too much treacle for some, but he’s controlled those impulses here. That makes it a highly enjoyable and recommended gem!
Ryan Allen “Song Snacks Vol. 1”
Ryan Allen takes a page from the Guided By Voices playbook and create a bevy of very short songs bursting with energy and creativity. And like his hero Robert Pollard, Allen does a great job. “Inventing Sports,” “Luke Warm” and “Barking Up The Right Tree” are excellent power-pop tunes that maintain the Extra Arms sound with a touch of GBV lo-fi fuzz and they seamlessly flow together. Similar to Nick Frater’s 59 Vignettes these songs are no longer than one to 2-minute sketches, and with a bit more flesh on the bones. Ryan was also influenced by The Wrens and Olivia Tremor Control in style and production.
Lots of fun to be had here, from the driving riffs of “Trash Mountain” and “Gem City” to the glam goodness of “You’ve Been Electrocuted.” The music alternates between these louder songs and softer acoustic rhythms on songs like “Raspberry Ghost,” which really deserve a longer treatment. While not everything is gold here, there is more than enough to recommend. This has been a banner year for short attention spans with Ryan Allen, Nick Frater, and 2nd Grade. It’s all music that deserves to be heard.
