Category: EP reviews

Free Music Monday: The Kavanaghs, Salt III, The Kimballs, Dot Dash

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The Kavanaghs “Need A Pity Day” EP
FREE 2013 EP includes the single “Need A Pity Day”, from the critically acclaimed Love Conquers Pain album, plus 3 unreleased tracks that were going to be part of the album but were not included on the final version.

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Salt III “Salt III”
A collaboration of American Michael Zwecker (The Poster Boy) to sit down with Russian Oleg “Toof” Zubkov (Kollaps) to hammer out a new pact under the guidance of Hungarian diplomats Zoltan Kovary (The Trousers) and Imre Poniklo (amber smith). Stockpile these tunes, they are awesome!

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The Kimballs
The Kimballs are Tom Burns (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Michael Mark (drums, percussion, vocals.) The indie rock duo grew up in suburban Colonia, New Jersey, where they met as drummers in their high school marching band. They have been recording and performing together for over a decade. Earlier releases available on CD Baby.

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Dot Dash
The new album Half Remembered Dream comes from this ever improving, ever impressive band in a few weeks. As a personal favor, they are letting you have their first song “(Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past” for FREE. Get it and look forward to the rest. So far the band is on track for an album each year. If you want to hear last years release, check this one out.

Summer Goodies from Shake Some Action and more!

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Shake Some Action “Wait For The Summer”
You know I almost never review singles, BUT once in a while an exception is made and this song is so good I had to spread it around to all of you.  Fresh off of  Full Fathom Five, James Hall has this kick ass single, that’s only a buck and essential summer listening!

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Jose Casas y la Pistola de Papá “Canciones de Kilómetro Cero”
For the Spanish power pop lovers, Jose Casas gives us nice little EP full of power pop covers in español. The EP begins a big way with “Cielo”, an appropriation of the “Heaven” by The Psychedelic Furs,  and continues with the awesome “No Quiero Ilusionarme, ” a bright and luminous adaptation of a song by The Red Button. La Pistola de Papa also do a tribute to Jason Falkner (The Three O’Clock and Jellyfish), transforming “Miss Understanding” into “Que Parezca un Accidente.”

Best of all, es gratis, sin dinero necesario!

London Egg and The Silver Liners

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London Egg “If It Takes Forever”
After a pretty retro-flavored debut, London Egg switches gears slightly to add more modern influences. Starting out with a dedication to INXS singer Michael Hutchence, “On Fire” has charging riffs and lead singer Egg channels Mick Jagger with his bluesy snarl.”Touching Eternity” is a little 90’s styled pop-rock gem with a nice shift in chords during the melody.

Production is hugely improved thanks to The Grip Weeds, Kurt Reil. “And Address It To Me” adds an updated Beatles style to the mix with some great harmonies. The jarring “Dance Of Life” is a strange mix of styles; Dylan, Stones and The Grip Weeds. The variety of stylistic approaches may appeal to some, but I found the band succeeds with the pure guitar power pop of “You Get What You Give,” but not with the psyche-lite “Gun.” Fortunately, most of the album is driven by those powerful riffs and simpler rockers like “Our Luv Dance” and the title track. The band has to strike a delicate balance and it accomplishes this on “Boy Do I Remember” reminiscent of  The Small Faces (as if they did Sgt. Peppers). Highly Recommended.

Amazon | CD Baby

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The Silver Liners “Bliss”
The Silver Liners have moved away from guitar based rock of its debut towards a more synth based alternative pop. After hearing “Criminal,” it has more in common with Coldplay than anything else. The vocals are overly smoothed and the echoing stadium style is more something I would hear in my gym than listen to at home.

“Scars” attempts to add the deep drum beat similar to Depeche Mode, it still has a chorus buried amongst the heavy gloss with a female vocal also in the mix. All this tells me is that the band has “sold out” and is pandering to major label “taste-makers.” Not bad for what it is, but it vanishes in a sea of other top 40 electronica pop acts.

Amazon | Artist Website

Spider72 and Son of Skooshny

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Spider72 “Seven”
Neo-Psychedelic musician Simon Berry is the force behind pop band Beaulieu Porch and Spider72, so for those of you looking to tune in and trip out, you can’t get much better. “Fathermother” oozes sugary pop goodness on par with Olivia Tremor Control or The Pillbugs and each track following gets groovier. “Devolution” sports a layered riff with multiple vocals hitting each region of the speaker. Simon’s vocal isn’t the strongest, a bit too twee with a touch of Lennon but the melodies and guitar rhythms carry each tune. Taken from a variety of influences with lush production, some real standouts include “Thursday Night Revival” which adds a touch of The Who, and the Pepper-ism “It’s Good To Be Bad.” Occasionally the dense composing gets too thick (“Salavador’s Friends”) but if you love 60’s psyche-pop this is a “must buy.”

Bandcamp only

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Son of Skooshny “Mid Cent Mod” EP
Skooshny frontman Mark Breyer with producer–collaborator Steve Reflingby returns with a damn fine example of roots oriented pop. Starting with the REM meets Elms like “Dizzy” it displays a memorable melody with a full rich sound. The title track “Mid Century Modern” has a touch of that SoCal sound that flows beautifully from one verse to another and the slow deliberate jangle on “Sorry” is an ineffectual plea “three strikes you’re out… I’m no good at apologies.” Each tune tells a vivid story,  the production is flawless and that’s about all you need here. I just wish Mark picked a better band name. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp | Amazon | CD Baby

The Solicitors and The Bamboo Trading Company

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The Solicitors “Made To Measure” EP
From our good friends at Pop Boomerang Records, you’ll have a blast with the Melbourne based Solicitors. Nice 80’s styled hook-filled melodies with a bouncy joy in “Pretty Penny” and “I Love Your Love.” The guitar riffs  are fast and full of energy, and you’ll hear influences from Big Star, The Knack, Nick Lowe and Cheap Trick. No duds either, and each tune will put you in a good mood or at least have you singing along. Even the laconic drinking ballad “Feeling Is Believing” has a touch of 50’s era rock n roll tragedy. I can’t wait for the full length LP. Get it on Bandcamp, as the CDs aren’t due till June 25.

Bandcamp | Amazon


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The Bamboo Trading Company “The Bamboo Trading Company”
A musical project from the members of The Beach Boys touring Band: Randall Kirsch, Gary Griffin, and Philip Bardowell, and in the case of Matt Jardine, a son of an actual Beach Boy.  Included are Miami Dan Yoe and Chris English, so you have a talented bunch launching this Beach Boys meets Jimmy Buffett styled summer album.

The good news is the vocal harmonies are beautifully done, the album’s mood is light and enjoyable. Some tunes are perfect for your tiki party and catchy enough, like “Kitty Hawk” and the Pet Sounds-lite “Tweet (Don’t Talk Anymore).” And even David Marks and Probyn Gregory contribute guitar to “Star Of The Beach” which sounds like it came off Al Jardine’s solo LP. However many of the songs are about as memorable as The Beach Boys own M.I.U Album (pretty disposable) especially the campy “Shrewd Awakening” promoting a cheesy horror movie! Fans of the Beach Boys will still enjoy this, some additional highlights include “I’ve Always Loved The Ocean” and “Don’t Say Its Over.” Now pass me a Mai Tai and call me when you find a place called “Kokomo.”

CD Baby | Amazon