The pre-fab four known as The Rutles story continues with a remix of the band’s master tapes in a parody of The Beatles “Love” remix. The Rutleslunch site has a hilarious plethora of great information on the ongoing saga. I didn’t see a link to purchase, but if you want the original albums, check out Amazon’s Rutles page.
Category: Album Preview
Hannah Cranna and Kensington
Hannah Cranna “A Real Nice Parade”
With some help from Badfinger alum Joey Molland, Hannah Cranna does a “re-boot” of its 1997 debut from defunct power pop label Big Deal Records. We get an impressive start with “Hello,” a catchy tune in the best Badfinger tradition. This take us to a rootsy “Are You Going Home, Polly?” and some nice harmonizing on “Paul McCartney and Wings,” although the band mentioned in the title has absolutely nothing to do with the song. After a solid first half, the album relies on re-mastered or re-recoreded tracks from the debut, and while pleasant enough there is nothing here that really sticks, until we get the slow compelling jam “Heroine on Ohio” and this tempo leads nicely into a live cover of Badfinger’s “Money/Flying” with Joey leading the band. Hannah Cranna would do much better if they leaned less on him, and did more to distinguish their sound, but for Badfinger completists this will be essential.
My Space | CD Baby
Kensington “Borders”
I saw this on a “best-of” list and gave it a spin. This is a Dutch band with a melodic-rock meets new wave dance sound. “Let Go” opens up with fast dance beats and it’s chorus does grow on you after a few listens. There are plenty of angular riffs and handclaps in “Youth” that qualifies it as power pop (barely). They’ve shared the stage with bands like Razorlight, The Wombats and My Chemical Romance and the duel vocals of Caspar Starreveld and Eloi Youssef mesh quite nicely. “All That I Know” has some wonderful harmonies and then switches to a manic tempo with shotgun riffs. This falls squarely in the alternative pop category, with classical overtones in the songwriting so fans of Sparks and Roxy Music may like it too. Other tracks that impressed me are “Not As Bright” and “Friendly Fire.” Definitely worth exploring.
Amazon | Itunes
The Beach Boys “SMiLE Sessions”
For all you audiophiles, this is the motherlode. On November 1, the original tracks of the legendary Beach Boys SMiLE will be released in a 2 CD set. If you are a really completist, the expanded boxed edition of The SMiLE Sessions will also be released, featuring the main SMiLE album tracks, plus four CDs of additional audio from the legendary sessions, a double vinyl LP set, and two 7″ vinyl singles. The deluxe box also contains a 60-page hardbound book with rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia from The Beach Boys’ archive and newly-written essays by Beach Boys Al Jardine, Mike Love, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Johnston, as well as by Beach Boys historian and author Domenic Priore and many other inner-circle participants.
The Ditchflowers and Stratocruiser
The Ditchflowers “Bird’s Eye”
Brain Merrill (Barely Pink) has a long history of great pop songwriting and this follow up to the debut Carried Away is a solid slice of adult contemporary power pop. “Sunshine Lifetime” is a soulful pop number that has a touch of Steely Dan. “You Could Hurt Someone” charms with its bouncy beat and quick paced chorus, similar to Squeeze – but a real winner is the subtle “Simple Guy” with its heartfelt lyrics about the sensitive artist trying to find himself. The guitar composition builds layers of guitars and vocals, and then it comes to the atmospheric ballad “Rainout.” This song is a real standout with a Billy Joel meets Alan Parsons Project feel, with strings, backing vocals and guitars backing up Merrill’s perfect vocal performance. Although the second half of the album isn’t as strong, it still has plenty of great music. The title track has a nod to The Beach Boys, and other notable tunes are “We Are The Time” and “Tuesday Is Dead.” Overall an excellent album that I highly recommend.
Stratocruier “The Spark”
After a series of EPs and successful KickStarter campaign, North Carolina’s Stratocruiser is back with its ringing guitars and Cheap Trick meets Kiss inspired approach. Opening with the title track, it reflects the rock aesthetic from the Thin Lizzy “Jailbreak” era with an inspired rhythm guitar arrangement. “Adult Situation” is great power ballad with big chord shifts and Clay Howard’s strong lead vocal. The band is much looser than previous releases, as the heavy prog-rock composition “Slush” lets its Black Sabbath influences out in the open. “Somebody’s Girlfriend” is a another standout, with Mike Nicolson doing a great job on multiple instruments. Matt Brown’s drumming and percussion are just as forceful. As with any vanity project, a few indulgences like the rock instrumental “Possession” are expected. Earlier singles like “Best Actress” standout against the heavier stuff here, and it looks like the “pop” side has taken a back seat to cowbell-heavy rock like on “Start Finishing.” As a bonus, power pop icon Robbie Rist contributes his guitar solo to the fast paced “Indian Summer.” Overall a great driving album to blast on the car stereo with the windows down. No real duds or filler here either, so its really a gift to fans who love melodic rock with a capital “R.”
Amazon | Itunes
No the video isn’t broken, the sound starts after 10 seconds of silence….
Dynamo Bliss and Nat & Alex Wolff
Dynamo Bliss “Circadian Rhythm”
I have a solid policy of not reviewing singles, yet this Scandinavian band has an 11 minute opus that’s longer than most EPs, so I’ll let it pass. Stafan Olofsson and Mikael Sandstrom creates this awesome follow up to the highly acclaimed 21st Century Junk. It starts out a soothing blend of synths and launches into Andrew Gold guitar styled ballad with impressive harmonies, and shifts to a dreamscape of flutes and keys. Cleanly produced with a nod to studio prog along the lines of Alan Parsons early work, its simply mesmerizing. While you enjoy that, you can also check out is a wonderful cover of Stackridge’s Dangerous Bacon.
Bandcamp | CD Baby
Nat & Alex Wolff “Black Sheep”
Musicians/actors Nat and Alex Wolff starred on the hugely popular Nickelodeon series “The Naked Brothers Band” from 2007-2009. Now the brothers are prepared to grow up musically with their first album released under their own names. Much like Drake Bell did years ago, the boys need to go into a more mature direction and it helps that they list the Beatles, Weezer and Nirvana as influences. A standout is the first single “Thump Thump Thump” as it actually reminds you that love songs about girls should be sung by teens (as opposed to middle-aged dudes). The best song here, “Disappointed” is a very authentic theme for a young teen, “I’m not mad at no one else/I’m just disappointed in myself” regarding his place in the world. The harmonies and melody here are great – and its more of this and the rebellious “18” that make a very clear statement to the music audience –“we are not kids anymore!” The album comes out this October.
Facebook | Amazon