Category: emerging artists

New Talent: Asbury Keys, Didn’t Planet, Hi Electric

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Ashbury Keys “Wake Up” EP
Texas brothers David and Darwin Keys are joined by bassist and vocalist Bill Walter on this new EP. It’s got a blended sound,  just add equal parts of Foo Fighters, Noel Gallagher and Taking Back Sunday.  Each of the five tracks give us solid hooks and loud guitars, starting with the pounding drums and guitars of “Swimmer.” And these guys can still do the melodic as evidenced by “Hero” with its great minor chord shifts. The bands versatility is displayed through the punk beat of of “Oh My God” or the ballad-like start of “Break.” And if you want to hear more, then listen the full length LP Growing Up.

Didn’t Planet “We’re Goin’ Nowhere”
Why didn’t I hear about this band? Maybe its the horrible pun for a name, but this Massachusetts group won me over with its light-hearted intro “the Fat Albert theme.” Then it rocks right into “Maryanne” with ringing guitar riffs and harmonies. The  POV with “Any Requests?” is a band struggling to play at venues “going nowhere” and doing covers. The narrative on “Bitter” is that of a resigned musician “out of touch with the kids” wanting to play what he wants. I’m sure every power pop artist can relate to this song. However there are too many self-pitying songs, fortunately most of them are pretty good. Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

Hi Electric “Hi Electric”
Indie band from Memphis,TN that references garage, soul, rockabilly is lead by  singer Neil Bartlett. Influenced by Big Star, Queens of The Stone Age and The Grifters it starts off with the subdued but effective “Bicycle Blades,” that has almost a grunge redux with snarling guitar solos after the chorus. It shuffles along like a softer version of Soundgrarden, but never really impresses until the mid-point with the catchy tracks “Open Cuts,” “Foolin’ Myself,” “It’s Not You” and the mid tempo shimmering “Come Down.” After additional listens, the melodies help the fuzzy exteriors take shape, so overall it’s a grower… why not give it a try?

Amazon | Artist Website

Three Minute Tease and The Sensibles

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Three Minute Tease “Three Minute Tease”
Three Minute Tease is the collaboration of California psychedelic cult hero Anton Barbeau with Andy Metcalfe and Morris Windsor (Soft Boys, Robyn Hitchcock). Barbeau organized and wrote songs for the band as early as 2010, and they recorded with Kimberley Rew (Katrina and The Waves) at her studio in Cambridgeshire,UK.

Barbeau has that XTC meets Robyn Hitchcock quality, angular melodies with beautiful obtuse lyrics. If you ever wondered who is the modern day equivalent to Syd Barrett — Barbeau fits it perfectly. “Love Is Onion” is a great opener with its paisley 60’s bass line and great guitar solo.  “Milko II” is a  reminded me of Julian Lennon with its slower delicate rhythm. The bouncy “Thanks For Lifting My Leg” is a highlight with its trippy lyric and driving chorus. While not immediately catchy,  it is accessible. From the jaunty “Dig My Bones” with the pastoral “Queen of Apples” its clear mood and texture are equally as important as melody to Anton. Dive right in and savor it.

Artists Website | Amazon

 

The Sensibles “7 inch” EP
Hard charging Italian punk pop not unlike The Dahlmanns or Vibeke, The Sensibles roar to the forefront on “Open Book” with strong guitars and Stella’s wailing vocal. The accent is really noticeable on “John Bambi” but it doesn’t detract from this hard charging guitar pop. Each tune here is solid, I really liked the proto power pop “Denny” which reminded me a little of Shonen Knife with its overdubbed chorus of “Whoa, whoa, whoa.” At only four songs you can’t go wrong here, they have an even more straight punk sound on another EP.

Bandcamp only | Facebook

The Slingsby Hornets and Paul Starling

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The Slingsby Hornets “Borrowed and Blue”
Jon Paul Allen aka The Slingsby Hornets brings his own unique take to a selection of covers. Let me say there are two ways to go here, you either emulate the original artist or you do something unique. Allen excels in glam guitar excess and spreads those echoing Brian May type riffs over each song like jam on a scone.

Allen’s versions sound nearly unrecognizable when compared to the originals. But that’s why his off key punk version of The Carpenter’s’ “Yesterday Once More” works, with wailing chords and synths. In fact it’s best that you don’t compare these songs with the originals, it will ruin it for you. My favorites here are the obscure hit from David Essex “Rock On” played almost like a Led Zepplin ballad and Cliff Richard’s “Move It” done in the style of The Power Station! Allen has his own songs round out the album, and the best of these are the ballad “It’s Gonna Rain” and ELO-like “Answer?” Overall, this album has plenty of sting!

My Space | CD Baby  | Amazon

Paul Starling “Shipwrecked Commotion” 
Way back in 2007 I reviewed Starling’s long out-of-print debut. Well he re-did several of the songs and added some more for Shipwrecked Commotion. “Dress Me In Bowties” is a bouncy twee song that charms thoroughly. I still like “Caroline,” it’s memorable chorus and harmonies remain a standout. And “Where Are You Gonna Sleep Tonight?” is another memorable gem here. Starling does try to break away from his baroque pop influences, with a bit more alt. folk and country mixed in with the pop. It’s got a light touch so fans of the recent Lightships album will be glad to add this to the playlist.

Bandcamp | CD Baby (single only)

Help a musician update…

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All the Kickstarter and self-funded album projects we featured on our “Help A Musician Page” recently have been fully funded. That includes albums by:

  • Holmes
  • Eric Lichter
  • Neil Nathan
  • Elton Duck
  • even the new Jackdaw4 album is over 200% funded!

I added today the efforts of Washington DC’s The Silver Liners. I’ve reviewed an early EP from them and look forward to this new effort! Contribute to your favorite power pop artists!

Emerging artists: Sam Page, JP Houston, Live On Brighton

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Sam Page “Waiting  For Another Spring” EP
Californian Sam Page is an unsigned musician who counts Jack White, Matthew Sweet, Blur, and Modest Mouse as influences. Page has definite talent, and all his sounds are “organic” and created without computers. This is his second EP and its getting some great notice by the indie music press, in fact “Lottery” is getting played on twenty podcasts and indie radio stations. I love “Pass Me By” with its simple arrangement and solid riff-beat combos. “Like@firstSite” is similar to Jonathan Coulton and sure to make you tap your feet to the beat. A great little EP – give it a try!
CD Baby | Amazon | SamPageMusic.com

JP Houston “As Long As You’re Here With Me”
JP Houston is a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, based out of Joshua Tree California. As Long As You’re Here With Me was originally done in 2006, but here it’s re-mastered. He does a great job with the opener “Fat Tuesday” – its both catchy and Houston’s vocal shines. As a professional JP’s been working with Brian Bell from Weezer, and Schmed of The Secret Powers. The soft shuffle of “We Make A Murder” is a favorite here, its got touches of XTC, McCartney and Secret Powers with awesome key changes in the chorus. Keep your eyes out for his next album, this is one of the best “hidden” gems this year.
Name your own price on Bandcamp

Live On Brighton “After Hours”
This Toronto band is a bit rough, but with its spirit and passionate sound it reminds me of early Green Day and Weezer. “Passenger Seat” is a blur of echoing guitar riffs and the infectious hard rock come through on “Ten Days Sober” and  “Roll with You.” The song structures are pretty straightforward and they’re not re-inventing the wheel here, but it’s all done in a satisfying way. If you like your rock loud, give this a try.
Bandcamp exclusive