The Lemon Twigs “Songs for the General Public”
Brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario continue their quirky theatrical homage to the conceptual rock of the 70s. They seem to follow in the unconventional path laid out by Russell and Ron Mael (Sparks) with their own Lemon-y glam twist. But it’s unfortunate that they start out with “Hell On Wheels,” a bombastic Meatloaf styled epic belted out by a parody of Bob Dylan. We get it. Its all very tongue in cheek, but a little subtlety would go down better. They add so many influences and ideas into each track it can be disorienting. Like a Chinese dim sum menu, you will find plenty here to like and dislike.
Thankfully the brothers are very talented and can turn on the charm effortlessly. “Live In Favor Of Tomorrow” embraces a breezy melody that power pop audiophiles will love. The piano melody of “No One Holds You (Closer Than The One You Haven’t Met)” is a Billy Joel-Todd Rundgren hybrid that dazzles with its layered composition. The harmonies are equally amazing on “Somebody Loving You” boosting the deep synth melody. Highlights also include “The One” and “Only a Fool” with its prog-pop composition, loaded with minor chord shifts. There is just enough to make this album highly recommended, so check it out.
Juniper “Juniper”
Fifteen-year-old Juniper Shelley, daughter of singer-songwriter Michael Shelley is getting into the family business. Her self titled album displays both a modern teen POV and reverence of pop’s past. “I guess that my musical taste is a mashup of my family’s music and my friends’ music,” she says. “I really like the Beach Boys, the Zombies, and Fountains of Wayne, but I also love Taylor Swift.”
With a bevy of guest stars, from Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Geddes (Belle and Sebastian), to Dennis Diken (The Smithereens) and more contribute here, making Shelley’s modest vocal work shine. “Kids on My Corner” is a real pop gem, with its fast rhyming lyric and catchy percussion. All the songs are timeless girl subjects (a la Lesley Gore) with sweet melodies on “Best Kept Secret,” “Girls Just Want A Boy To Rest Their Head Upon” and the bouncy “Sticking With My Henry.” But it’s not all mush, and the playful set has some great songwriting in addition to the excellent musicianship. Like those early Beach Boys records, it’s bona fide innocence on full display. Highly Recommended.