Mike Viola “Paul McCarthy”
If there is anyone who’s well-loved in power pop circles, it’s Mike Viola. As a producer, he’s pushed artists like Panic! at the Disco, Andrew Bird, Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis, and Mandy Moore to higher levels. As a musician, he’s built an amazing catalog of albums, both solo and with his band The Candy Butchers. And it’s Mike’s voice on that American pop classic “That Thing You Do!” written by Adam Schlesinger.
After several “quiet” years, Paul McCarthy has Viola clearly exploring his relationship to pop stardom and fame. “Bill Viola” gives us a slice of this past, expecting rock stardom, one foot in the future, and one foot in the past as he blurs narrative lines. His hard rock style on “Water Makes Me Sick,” notably recalls Joe Walsh as an inspiration. “Love Letters From A Childhood Sweetheart” is another solid ballad, about looking back to what could have been. The compelling guitar lines on “Scientist Alexis” have serious heft, but lack the hooks it really needs. But no matter, the title track “Paul McCarthy” is a fun imaginary tale of joining The Beatles at Shea Stadium, complete with a dreamy chorus “Do know you’re alive?” Viola coasts, then he immerses himself in the buzzing “Torp” with its bass rhythm and an earnest chorus. The awesome “You Put The Light Back in My Face,” recalls the great solo rocker of his past. Viola remains a dynamic artist that keeps his music fresh, and that’s what makes this album great, and always highly anticipated by fans. Highly Recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLDcvhWGnM8
The Successful Failures “Wrong Together”
The 10th LP from New Jersey’s Successful Failures finds lead singer/songwriter Mick Chorba still knows how to jam with the best of them. The potent mixture of rootsy, indie-rock is evident in the opener “Millions of People.” It’s a great start, full of catchy riffs and inspirational lyrics. In the next tune, it goes into a less optimistic “Sunny Side of Town” with a little more twang and sadness. From there it feels more like a mixed bag. In some cases, the band recalls its earlier, grungier incarnation on “New City” and “The Worst of Our Kind.” Things seem to drag after this, with the simplistic “It Is the Rain” feeling like a kiddie rocker.
It seems to get more fun with the loose chorus of “Kids from Queens” which includes a blistering solo in the coda. The blues come back in “All I Really Want” and Chorba excels at this too. The ambitious “I Am of the Stars” proves the band does really good operatic rock with notable piano and guitar call-and-response. “Flying Cowboys” is a strong final track, and while this album isn’t as consistent as previous ones it boasts several great tunes. Still, a band that deserves to be heard.
