I don’t know what to say except… “wow.” Oh, and good pick by The Shoes.
Author: powerpopaholic
Gary Frenay and The Dewars
Gary Frenay “File Under Pop Vocal”
One of the most under appreciated power pop bands of the early ’80s was Syracuse, NY-based The Flashcubes. Featured in Ken Sharp’s just released Play On! Powerpop Heroes Volume II, the band did get some fan love later on at IPO and during a Japanese reunion. Thankfully, lead singer-songwriter Gary Frenay has continued to make music.
File Under Pop Vocal is a bit of adult oriented pop and rock that boasts fine melodies and an excellent supporting cast; Tommy Allen (The Flashcubes, Television), Arty Lenin (The Flashcubes, Paul Collins Band), Maura and Pete Kennedy and Marshall Crenshaw to name a few.
“Blue Topaz” is a smooth pop gem that channels Elvis Costello, and the romantic love song “Our Eyes Have Voices” reminds me of Todd Rundgren balladry. A cover of Brian Wilson’s “Its Like Heaven” has plenty of great harmonies and fits perfectly here. A few tracks like “Winterview” are generic adult pop, with “It’s Your Heart” serving as a faux Bacharach tune (with horn accents.) Still most songs hit the mark, listen to it all on You Tube below.
The Dewars “All A Part Of The Show”
Vaguely creepy twin brothers Anthony and Zachary Dewar write music for the downtrodden in love. “Sucker For Your Hometown” opens with the compelling harmonies about broken dreams – comparable to Ween or The Beta Band at its most irreverent. “Music In The Money Industry” is another gem that’s catchy and dripping with irony. “Come Back Baby Girl” increases the tempo, but keeps the same dramatic desperation.
The slow deliberate horns and echoing vocals do start to drone on in “Beach Country,” and the elegant “Switzerland” has classical strings that shift to a slow guitar march about the numbness of World War II, with tension bubbling just under the surface. The fun continues on the soft-shoe of the title track, which casually says “we lost a drummer to heroin” but really serves as an introduction – only this is the last song here (oh I get it).
Your Gracious Host and Leaders in The Clubhouse
Your Gracious Host “The Writers of Our Destiny”
Your Gracious Host (aka Tom Curless) gives us a concept album about a man dealing with assorted life issues. “Trying to Remember” is both driving and meandering, but “Love Or Fear (pt.2)” is a compelling anthem for the album concept. The musical styles shifts from heavy rock to new wave pop – occasionally within the same song. It works on “Tonight All You Will See” and the second half of “Invisible Girl.” Like a staged rock musical, some transitions are jarring and others mesmerizing.
Tom does hit his stride with the brilliant piano melody “Heart On The Table” with its layered composition and spacey chorus. “If You Have Your Doubts” and “Facing Me” are great songs and the instrumental “Train Passing” is pure magic too. It may take a few listens for this one to grow on you. But trust me it will.
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Leaders in the Clubhouse “Won”
San Diego duo “Spud” Davenport and Charlie Recksieck (The Bigfellas) formed this band as a musical outlet to highlight their talents and tame a few pet peeves. Starting with the funny and naughty “She Gets Loud,” it’s a catchy piano melody that celebrates sexual addiction and even throws in a wicked guitar break. The style is similar to a mix of Billy Joel, ELO and 10cc, with a casual demeanor and lyrical wit similar to Joe Walsh.
They rant about modern technology (“These Goddamn Devices”) and of course have a baseball related song (“Law Of The Jungle”). My favorite here is “Hater,” with a very explicit chorus that I think everyone will agree with and can easily sing along to. Similar is the rousing anti-politically correct “Trophies” with its dramatic swells and epic finale. It’s just too well made to fall into the novelty music category and deserves to be heard. Kind of like Parry Grip (Nerf Herder) for grown-ups. Highly Recommended.
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The Corner Laughers “Matilda Effect”
The Corner Laughers “Matilda Effect”
San Francisco sunshine pop band The Corner Laughers are back and lead singer Karla Kane continues to mesmerize us with her bright clear vocals. After lending her voice for the Agony Aunts album, she serves up this feminist concept LP. The album’s title, Matilda Effect, is a reference to the phenomenon of female scientists being overlooked in favor of their male colleagues.
With her cat-eye glasses and ukulele, Karla plays the sugar-voiced fairy on “Fairytale Tourist” asking to be treated with respect or “let me go.” Then “The Girl, America”, written by psych-pop fav Anton Barbeau is a jangling melody about sexism in radio. The tempo remains quick for “Octavia A” with a sweet McCartney styled bass line and a big highlight here is “Queen of the Meadow” about under credited astronomer Henrietta Leavitt.
Backed up by the combo of guitarist KC Bowman, Khoi Huynh on bass and Charlie Crabtree, on drums, the production is both polished and bouncy fun. Things slow a bit with the harmonizing march “Midsommar” and light lullaby “Lammas Land,” but pick up with the doo-wop rhythm on “Go Fly Your Kite.” Its both quirky and cheery pop that deserves more fans. Highly Recommended.
William Duke and The Wheel Workers
William Duke “The Dark Beautiful Sun”
It’s been a long time since we heard from Mr. Duke, but his new album features a ’70s influenced California folk sound that’s part Crosby Stills Nash and part Elliot Smith. “The Golden Ring” is a bright opener, with sweet harmonies at the songs close. The melodic title track sounds like a lost Teeneage Fanclub song, full of mellow sadness in the chorus.
“Sons and Daughters” is a jangling melody in the best Byrdsian acoustic style, about appreciating your kids while they are with you. “Many Years Away” continues this easy going pop vibe, and the songs seem to blur together by the albums mid-point. The melodies of “Just Lookin’ For Some Sleep” are very comforting, as the repeating bass lines drift along weightlessly. The last several tracks remind me of The Autumn Defense blend of acoustics, Americana and clean production. The instrumental “1977” references the period with light and heavy synths, almost a prog rock ballad. The download is FREE, but you can order a limited vinyl release through Bandcamp.
The Wheel Workers “Citizens”
The Houston, Texas band continues right where it left off last year, (with a bit more bite) delivering catchy indie rock with a progressive message about the evils of corporate greed. “Yodel” comes across like Rev. Horton Heat with the lyric “one man gets a crumb another gobbles the whole pie, how ya figure it’s that way?” Then the synths and punk vocals of “Burglar” bounce along like an ’80s Devo dance track. “Whole Other World” is a hypnotic anti-war song that speaks to current events and “Wage Slaves” is a synth heavy modern protest song.
The remaining tracks are quality pop, the infectious beat of “Dream” is very much like Robert Pollard (GBV) reaching a fuzzy crescendo. Lyrically its thought provoking and frontman Steven Higginbotham challenges you with his punk approach on “Citizen Incorporated.” While not as richly produced, or as long as the the last album it still proves to be worthy of repeat listens. Give it a try.
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