John Larson And The Silver Fields “Mile A Minute”
John Larson and The Silver Fields lean into the power pop genre more here than any previous album. The opener “Jeannie” hits all the right notes with a strong hook for his “go-to girl” and it’s a catchy delight. “Too Stupid To Stop” sounds like the mantra for every musician with a passion for music, and it’s another winner. Larson’s influences are both traditional from the late ’70s pop through the ’90s alternative, “Because of a Girl” and “Can’t Miss Kid” have a timeless quality, with memorable choruses particularly the latter, with its keyboard-guitar combo akin to early Todd Rundgren.
Yet Larson makes efforts not to stick to a specific style or emulate the past too closely. It’s that quality that makes this collection so special. The authentic rock and roll spirit lives on in “Dig It Out” and the daydreaming quality of the slower tempo “Smartest Guy In The Room” is like the lyrical opposite of the Beatle’s “Fool On The Hill” with just as much sonic depth. Not a wasted note here and no filler. Mile a Minute is immediately accessible and it begs for repeat listens. Highly recommended and makes my top 10 album list for 2022. Don’t miss it.
Push Puppets “Allegory Grey”
Push Puppets are a fresh new band from Palatine, Illinois. The band is the brainchild of singer/songwriter/guitarist Erich Specht and he definitely knows how to hook you with his great opener “There’s No One Else Like Lynette,” reminding me of The English Beat’s “Save It For Later” and just as catchy. Fans of The Finn Brothers and Crowded House will find a lot to love about Push Puppets; “Sometimes The Buds Never Flower,” and “The Bane of My Existence,” adds a similar bouncing tempo, jazzy touches, and smooth lyrical approach.
“Obvious” uses the soft verse-dramatic chorus to great effect, and then the band veers off into folk territory with “Perfect Picture.” While the first half of the album has the best material, the songwriting is never predictable and it often shows flashes of brilliance, like the chorus of “October Suprise.” This is a band you should keep your eye on… Highly Reccomended.
