Category: EP reviews

Tyson Leslie and Evil Arrows

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Tyson Leslie “Train Wrecks, Havoc & Heartbreak”
 Tyson Leslie has been a vibrant part of the Kansas City music scene for over twenty years, playing in various bands now steps out of the sideman role with his debut LP.

Leslie is a rarity, a guitar shredder who actually cares about melody. The Beach Boys used to sing simply about cars and girls, and on “Little Green Honda” he updates the formula and its a damn catchy single. “Crazy All Over You” is a semi-honkey tonk road song that displays Leslie talent for amazing licks. A smooth rock duet with Lyndsey Lou is next on “She Danced Under The Lights” and “Selective Amnesia” recalls Dave Edumnds and Rockpile.

Leslie also has amazing range, from catchy pop of “Suckerfish” to epic rock ballads like “Goodbye To The Rain.” More highlights include “Wasted Time” and the Beatlesque ender “The Last Words.” I couldn’t find any weak tracks, and with precise production values I have to add this to my top ten albums list this year. A real hidden gem.

Amazon | Bandcamp

 

Evil Arrows “2” EP
 As a follow up to January’s “1” EP Bryan Scary is back with an Evil Arrows sequel. Scary is a distinctive voice that is immediately accessible, a rich combination of glam rock and power pop.

“Gods of Light” is a mid-60’s Stones-style tune, but at the chorus it goes into a multi-tracked, dense production of “ba-ba-ba” vocals. “Last Living Doll” is a quick tempo gem lead by staccato guitar riffs and Bryan’s playful lyrics. “A New Age Holiday” has some inventive chord shifts and “Shadow Lovers” struts along like T.Rex and is the standout track on this “side”. Between the 2 EPs, you get one of the best albums this year.

Bandcamp only

Free Music Friday: Cricketbows, The Crush and Vira Casaca

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Cricketbows – We’ve featured Cricketbows before, so now these semi-exclusive demo tracks are being hosted by Power Popaholic at a “name-your-price” option. These songs will be part of Cricketbow’s next album release of 2014. Just listen to the lyrics of “Raised On Rock and Roll.” It’s pretty damn sweet.

The Crush – This unsigned Seattle band does it bouncy and “The Hook” is exactly what you think it is. Like a female fronted version of The Raspberries, they also have a very 60’s-like track called “Bliss”, that’s for FREE too.  My guess is they won’t stay unsigned for too long.

Vira Casaca – They’re from Lisbon, Portugal. They rock in Portuguese. Pick up this single that reminds me of The Connection a little. Hmm, didn’t that band just finish a tour there recently? Wonder if a full release will show up?

 

Also we’ve shared the Cricketbows tracks with CaptainSIB a blog from Scotland, UK. Look! They did a cool write up.

Braddock Station Garrison and Ward White

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Braddock Station Garrison “High Water” EP
Rock solid debut from this local Washington DC touring band. A hybrid of Roots rock and pop melodies. Lead singer and guitarist Steve Schillinger carries each tune with confidence, and a cadence that reminded me of Chris Isaak. Highlights include “Maria With Child” and “A Lot To Ask.”

CD Baby | Amazon

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Ward White “Bob“
It’s been a few years since I heard Ward White, so it’s both maddening and satisfying to listen to his new LP Bob. Once again assisted by Joe McGinty on keys, White tells a winding dense narrative akin to a one man Rock Opera about the perils and crimes of the title character. White’s delicate tenor is brilliant, similar to those 70’s rock deities (Todd Rundgren and Bowie come to mind).

It’s tough to initially go through the sparsely composed and dramatic first half, but after repeated plays it grows on you, “Dentist” being a highlight. After the quirky “Intermission,” the guitar chords really come out and “Little Coca Cola/Lucky Ones” resembles a Ray Davies ditty. One of the better tunes “Dissent” takes a very Zappa-esque turn, and “Fridge” sums it up with Jeff Hermanson’s trumpet. There is a great musical story buried here if you’re willing to sacrifice immediacy. I see “cult hit” written all over this one.

CD Baby | Amazon

The New Trocaderos and The Rationales

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The New Trocaderos “Money Talks/The Kids” EP
The New Trocaderos are Brad Marino and Geoff Palmer from The Connection and fellow power popper Kurt Baker in a wild collaboration with songwriter/producer Michael Chaney.  “Money Talks” is straight from the Connection template of fast tempos, solid guitar riffs and harmonies all the way through. “The Kids” is sung by Baker and comes closer to the Ramones/Elvis Costello style. Either way this is a really nice EP and great way to start the year. Any chance a full LP will be on its way?

Bandcamp Only

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The Rationales “Dream Of Fire”
Even after giving myself a rest after my top 25 last week, I will find lots and lost of music I missed. The Rationales’ latest EP, Dream of Fire,  features 5 tracks recorded with producer Ed Valauskas (Juliana Hatfield, Graham Parker)and showcases the improved songwriting and skilled musicianship that make them a band that belongs on your radar. “Drunk all the Time,” and “Radio” are hard driving pop tracks that have plenty of melodic muscle. The remaining tracks allow the band the get denser, anthem-styled rock songs out, and I look forward to more from this talented band in 2014.

CD Baby | Amazon

Free Music Monday (okay, mostly free): Dot Dash, Jasko, Ballard and Rocket and The Ghost

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Dot Dash are really on the cusp of greatness here – “Hands of Time” from their third album, Half-Remembered Dream, released a few months back is a gem, and here is the single as a free Bandcamp download.

Jasko. That’s all. I don’t have any other info on Todd Jasko, only that he did this free album, in the spirit of DIY power pop. Enjoy!

Ballard. Cool Lo-fi indie pop. The debut was kinda rough around the edges, but this band has improved quite a bit. And to make it worth your time they have added two free albums. The band still has that a garage punk pop ethic, kinda like The Eels.

Rocket and The Ghost. Okay this isn’t free, but it’s damn awesome indie power pop by what could be “the next big thing.”  Yes they have an EP out on iTunes, so be ambitious and get this.