Tsar and The JAC

Tsar “The Dark Stuff” EP
Without a doubt, 2012 is the year of the power pop re-union. The L.A. rock band Tsar formed in 1998 and soon won favorable reviews for their energetic gigs and anthemic songwriting, but vanished after 2005. The band now has re-formed, lead by Jeff Whalen (lead vocals/guitar,) with Daniel Kern (vocals/ guitar,) Jeff Soloman (bass) and Steve Coulter (drums).

They haven’t lost the knack for catchy tunes, as the opener “Punctual Alcoholic” has a neat bass rhythm and sharp guitar solo. The high gloss rock of “Police Station” is similar to early Tsar hits, and the brooding “Little Women” is like The Dandy Warhols meeting Weezer in a smokey room. “Something Bad Happened To Me” is little lighter, where they explain “Rock and roll is good for the soul…” Overall, a this is a solid workmanlike effort, with enough to please fans old and new.

The JAC “Faux Pas”
Okay, you gotta love Joe Algeri (Brittanicas, Jack & The Beanstalks) letting loose his inner psyche to the fans with a “I Play All The Instruments.” It makes a pretty good case for solo musicians “stuck at home, with too much time on your hands.” Joe tells us “I Just Want to be Weird” and to prove it he does offbeat pop like “I’m A Glass Of Orange Juice.” Joe isn’t as obtuse as Robert Pollard, and his rants on “Persistent Man” and “I Refuse” have punk styled DIY charm.

Several songs have a 60’s-fueled psyche pop flavor, but with a modern cynicism reminding me of The Small Faces “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake” or Ray Davies on “Romano The Dog.” It includes an additional disc of 10 covers, so you can’t say The JAC doesn’t deliver.