Category: emerging artists

Wondernaut and The Shirts

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Wondernaut “Mind The Pendulum Swing” EP
Wondernaut is the ongoing musical project of Oklahoma City native Billy Gro. Since 2006, he’s been performing at venues from Oklahoma City to Tulsa (Twilley country!). His approach is indie rock with a prog feel. This EP starts with the cool title track, an impressive multi-tracked chorus and steady beat. The other tracks are serviceable, standouts include “Delete Me”and the guitar fuzzed out “Sigh/Smile.” The companion EP is “1000 Love Songs” and Gro’s melodic sense and persistence has helped grow his dedicated fanbase. Fans of The New Pornographers and Death Cab for Cutie may find this artist irresistible.

 CD Baby | Amazon | Bandcamp

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The Shirts “The Tiger Must Jump”
It must be frustrating for this Brooklyn band with a plenty of talent, but a lack of direction here. The Shirts were a classic punk pop band from the CBGB’s era that has jumped into the adult indie pop arena recently. While they’d like to be compared to Jefferson Airplane, they are more like The Velvets meet Blondie. Led by singer/guitarist Art Lamonica and his wife Kathy sharing the vocal duties, they start out with “Hopper,” full of chiming guitars and a nice harmonic chorus.

But the next few songs just don’t distinguish themselves, and stylistically seem conflicted between fast guitar riffs with slow vocals. I was ready to give up on this album until I heard the title track. “The Tiger Must Jump” adds a wonderful retro organ riff and the vocals are brilliant here. Another standout is the Lou Reed-ish ballad “Tina of The Talking Heads” with its dreamy tribute to Tina Weymouth. The raw guitar riffs on “Mochaccino” are another gift to long time Shirts fans. The band should concentrate on this style, rather than trying to conform to a “mature” standard.

CD Baby  | Amazon
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New EPs: Darlings, Jim Camacho and Chris Alvy Band

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Darlings “Warma” EP

If you’re into by the numbers garage pop with a sugary coating than Darlings will be a real treat. The band was started by singer/guitarist Peter Rynsky from his NYC apartment with three friends. Peter and co-vocalist Maura Lynch give us a sweet pop duet layered on top of punk guitars on “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself”. The melodies here on “Spit It Out” and “Don’t Wanna Hang Out Tonight” really keep your attention, similar to The Creaky Boards lo-fi Beach Boys bedroom pop. Give these guys a chance and I think they’ll grow on you pretty quickly.
My Space | Darlings Site | Amazon

Jim Camacho “Is It Me” EP

Camacho made his initial mark with the Goods, a South Florida band. He’s recently been touring with Dreaming In Stereo. ‘Is It Me’ is melodic pop with Jim’s trademark earnest vocals, which reminds me of Joe Cocker without any gravel in this throat. The tracks are all stellar and the self-directed title track is typical of this heartfelt work. “Debutante” is another standout, with catchy chorus and a descriptive portrait of a heartbreak and girl who’s “happy in your life without me.” It’s easy to see why Jim has won numerous local music awards for his songwriting, as it simply resonates with you.
CD Baby | Amazon

Chris Alvy Band “Anything Goes” EP
Miami based Chris Alvy brings us some excellent guitar riffs and vocal harmonies on the title track from ‘Anything Goes.’ Songs are instantly memorable, for example “The Fall” sounds like a combo of Cheap Trick and Split Enz. The 70’s styled guitar crunchiness and chord combinations make tracks like “Something New” really standout. Stylistically, tracks like the Extreme-ish “This Is Yur Life” and the acoustic “Your Smile” are a bit less consistent, but no less compelling. I dare you not to sing along on the latter track with it’s strumming chorus of “Yabba Dabba Doo.” Easily one of the most impressive debut EPs this year. Where is that full length LP? I can’t wait for this one.
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New EPs: Larabee, Cowbois and The Orion Experience

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The Orion Experience “NYC Girl” EP

TThe Orion Experience create songs that don’t quit, full of stuck-in-your-head choruses, taut arrangements and a slightly acidic lyrical bent that often belies all the poppiness. I’ve followed them from the beginning and with ‘NYC Girl’ its clear the bands improving. The title track is the best pop single I’ve heard since The Virgins “One Week Of Danger”. Other excellent songs include the strutting “Vampire” and bouncy “Rollercoaster.” A special treat is the duet between Orion Simprini and Linda Horwatt on “Sweet Friend” with a nod to Queen’s own “You’re My Best Friend.” Hands down the best EP this year so far.
Facebook | CD Baby | Amazon

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog “Dyddiau Du, Dyddiau Gwym”

Most of the time I don’t venture into foreign language bands, but this was an exception. Rhos Botwnnog is a tiny piece of land just north of the village of Botwnnog in the Llyn Peninsula in north Wales where the band was born. The sibling trio of “Cowbois” sounds so familiar, yet you will not understand a word that is spoken. It’s the melodies and instrumentation that matter more here…
Read the full review at www.rockandrollreport.com  | Amazon

Larabee “Expose a Little Wire” EP

Larabee is the project of musician Matt Maguire. His musical style is melodic pop with soothing guitar jangle and a bit of old country soul, as evidenced on his opener “Little Liar.” The next track “Cold Dark Night” explores a typical country theme with reverence and humility that recalls Blue Rodeo or The Jayhawks at their catchiest.  This is followed by the somber “9:58pm” which details the last thoughts of a man dying from an auto accident. Matt’s cadence is much like James Taylor and each song is impressively written and performed.
Bandcamp | Amazon | CD Baby

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EP reviews: John Hardy, White Star Liners and The Americans

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Jon Hardy & The Public “A Hard Year” EP
If Morrissey had joined Wilco at some early point, it could be described as Jon Hardy & The Public. The song “Nobody Like You” has a sweet hook and classic rock riffs that contrast with the sobering lyrics. Hardy’s voice is deep and bluesy, but very accessible and pop friendly. The descriptive stories and ringing guitars make each song an atmospheric gem. Echoes of early Jackson Browne and Springsteen are also detectable, but the important thing here is it teases the listener into wanting more. Consider that goal met.
CD Baby | Amazon

White Star Liners “Occam’s Razor” EP 
The band’s sound has been described as a ‘mix of elements of Granddaddy and Sparklehorse with a peculiar English pop sensibility’. It’s also got a bit of Weezer thrown in as well on the title track. Bursting with buzzing guitar riffs and winning over musicians (both Ray Davies and Jason Lytle are fans) this is a band to keep your eye on. My favorite track here is the gorgeous hook-filled chorus on “Digging For Bombs” which will give alt pop fans goosebumps. They’ve played the IPO festivals in New York and Liverpool and come highly recommended by Dave Bash, so get this today! 

The Americans “White” EP
An unsigned band lead by singer/producer Charlie Klarsfeld appropriates a pastiche of pop influences, and he’s got an assist from Sean Lennon on the single “Requiem.” The band is a true amalgam of styles but it always keeps that pop hook in the forefront. Starting with “Try (Nobody Wants To)” featuring Daniel Merriweather, its a bit Motown and those horns make it a party you want to join. “The Antidote” is a bit like Sly & The Family Stone updated for this century. Every track is a winner, but my favorite is the guitar and piano epic “Diamond” which compares well with Josh Fix. Vote for them to make the cover of Rolling Stone!
My Space | Facebook | Amazon
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The Silver Liners, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and Sklyer

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The Silver Liners “s/t” EP
A terrific band just gets better here. Washington, D.C. based Silver Liners have merged the catchy pop of Maroon 5 with the guitar assault of Foo Fighters on their new self titled EP. Starting with the danceable rock of “Runnin’ Through My Head” the melody hooks you and keep you around for the brilliant riffs on “Hot Mess.” Every single track shines here, my favorites being “Without A Face” and the funky “Just Like The Rest” with a beat guaranteed to make you move. Highly recommended and  if you’re looking for the new vanguard of guitar based power pop – this is it. I can’t wait for the full length album as this is the best new EP I’ve heard this year.
The silverliners.com | Amazon

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart  “Heart In Your Heartbreak” EP
Neatly described by Rolling Stone as a “Bell & Sebastian/Smashing Pumpkins collaboration.” This is an infectious slice of chunky power-pop with a great beat, sweeping synths and well-placed guitar jangle, it’s immediately obvious that the a production team has brought out the best in the band. Both songs on this short EP are great and would sit just fine next to Teenage Fanclub on your ipod. The band has been releasing material at a feverish pace so check out the earlier EPs and hear them evolve.
My Space | Amazon 

Skyler “Long Gone” EP
It’s rare that I look at a teen prodigy but Skyler is a better than most, and he’s got a little Beatle in him on the catchy opener “Hold My Hand.” Plus he knows loads about rock hooks on the arena ready “Any Stupid Thing” and the anthemic jangle of “It’s Just The Night” recalls DelAmitri melodies with Bon Jovi bombast. Each tune here boasts solid songwriting and strong production. A few countryfied miscues on “Stephanie” aside, it’s no surprise that this is Skyler’s fifth EP. He’s already a veteran musician and only a freshman at the Berklee College of Music, so this is your chance to hear a future star.
MySpace | Amazon

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