Category: EP reviews

Jim Camacho and Chris Price

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Jim Camacho “Everywhere” EP
 Once again the talented Camacho gives us a bright shiny pop with flamenco styled jangle on “Big Little World.” His insight lyrically is like a power pop version of Jackson Browne, on “Hold On Ariel.” Next “Everywhere” has a big hook with an expansive chorus, then slows the tempo down for a the next two tunes. Highly Recommended.

Itunes | Amazon
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Chris Price “Homesick”
Los Angeles singer/songwriter Chris Price is proof you don’t need Auto-Tune or even a recording studio to craft perfect power pop. Chris downloaded a four-track app on his iphone and like One Like Son, created a sophisticated vintage sounding LP. It also helps that the melodies are darn near perfect, similar to Mike Viola on the title track, and “Suicide” is a fast paced gem with jangling riffs. The ballad “For All We Know” is a lot like Big Star’s “Thirteen.” The gorgeously crafted “That’s Your Boyfriend” and “Up In Flames” are more timeless baroque compositions. I wish I found this last year, it would definitely make my 2012 top ten for sure. Get it now.

Itunes | Bandcamp

Rich McCulley and Annie Dressner

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Rich McCulley “The Grand Design”
In a complete change in tone from his last album, roots rocker McCulley’s outlook has gone from bittersweet to joyful. “Here Right Now” states that he doesn’t “wait for sunshine” but here it is, with a richly arranged melody. This is an album that puts the past behind him, celebrating a better life today, with new love in his life and a young son of his own.

One of the best tracks here is “The Most Beautiful Thing,” a gushing love song with chiming guitars and catchy chorus. The sunny tone is almost like The Eagles hooking up with Smashmouth on “Let You Go” and”The Gift.” It gets a little more rootsy as we get past the mid-point, “Just Begun To Run” and “Don’t Know What To Do” are good examples. No filler here, and the album is a real statement on McCulley’s life. “Little Bit Broken” is a perfect theme for today’s middle aged dude who’s been “kicked around, but still here.” Bravo.

CD Baby | Amazon| Kool Kat Musik
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Annie Dressner “East Twenties”
A girl and her guitar. It’s almost a cliche now, but Annie’s music is like an intimate conversation. A confession with sweet multi-tracked harmonies, “Heartbreaker” is like a melodic soundtrack to a summer stroll down a country creek. “I Can’t Forget” is a twee ballad about the memory of a loved one. Unlike her debut LP Strangers Who Know Each Others Names, Annie leaves the quirky pop behind for a more serious and poignant musical statement. Fans of The Cranberries and Jenny Lewis will enjoy this heart-felt folk pop.

CD Baby | Amazon

 

Jacco Gardener and Luke Potter

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Jacco Gardener “Cabinet of Curiosities”
 Amsterdam native Gardener, has a talent for brilliant baroque pop using studio techniques perfected in the late 60’s psychedelic era. That means our opening harpsichord melody in “Clear The Air” is a bit like Phil Spector producing The Zombies latest single. “The One Eyed King” arrangements are lush and airy, comparable to The Moody Blues and early Pink Floyd. And every song here has that dream-like psyche-pop quality. Jacco’s lyrical puzzles seldom transcend the atmosphere, but like “Puppets Dangling” the spot-on retro magic will keep you enthralled. Fans of classic Brian Wilson, Van Dyke Parks, Syd Barrett, and The Pillbugs will really enjoy this. If there ever was an album to zone out to in a darkened room lit by florescent light and smelling of incense, this is it.

Amazon | Facebook
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Luke Potter “One Day”
A new voice out there, Luke Potter is a young singer-songwriter from the UK who’s starting to make a buzz with his new EP, produced by power pop favorite Bleu. Opening with “Breathe In” it uses both guitar melody and Luke’s strong vocal to draw you in. “Chance Worth Taking” is a bit more typical rock ballad, but the title track “One Day” is more compelling and he gives you a truly inspirational chorus. Even Bruce Bodeen of PopGeekHeaven was said “Luke Potter appears to be primed to deliver some great work…” Check it out.

CD Baby | Artists website

 

New Talent: Propeller, Love Messengers, Steelesque

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Propeller “Don’t be Sorry Again”
Greg Randall and Will Anderson are Propeller, born from the ashes of Varsity Drag, The Lemonheads and Unbalanced. This is the newest release full of crunchy guitars and dense rock rhythms. “Nothing” has solid hook and hand claps and it will dig its way into your brain. And each tune has the same sweet indie rock quality, so no filler here.

My only pet peeve here is the vocals are a bit buried, almost disappearing into the instrumentation. Best of all this album is a FREE download! Fans of The Replacements, Sugar, Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr. and Teenage Fanclub will just love this. Highly recommended and you have no excuses!
FREE on Bandcamp

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Love Messengers “Dogsmile” EP
All the way from Finland comes Rock guitarist-singer Timo “Still Crazy” Pääkkö, eccentric organ-wizard Jussi Reunamäki, bassist Tarmo “Entwhistle of Eurajoki” Lehtonen and drummer Jaakko “Crazy Kid” Kotiniemi. These dudes play straight forward rock and roll with solid skills. “Dogsmile” mixes a soulful organ, guitar and heartfelt vocal. The B-side “Tarkka” has a Beatlesque beat with jangle filled Rickenbacker melody.
CD Baby | Amazon

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Steelesque “Johnny On The Spot” EP
Pittsburgh musician Rob Eldridge brought this band together, combining many varied influences. It starts rough with the tentative blues rocker “Hooker A” but doesn’t really brings the hooks till “Life Fast Wheel” with a catchy chorus and terrific rhythm work. The plodding “Raven Don’t Mind” reminds me of Blue Oyster Cult, as Eldridge’s effective vocals and lead guitar give the song real life.
Itunes | Facebook

Catching up with… Jamie and Steve

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Jamie and Steve “The Next Big Thing” EP
When we last heard of Jamie (Hoover) and Steve (Stoeckel), formerly with The Spongtones, they had become a duo with a English Afterthoughts. After much acclaim the two decided it was time for more, and in 2011 it was their Next Big Thing. The guys still have that Beatleseque style and it opens with the XTC-like “Seaside Sparrow,” full of pastoral plucking. “Can We Start Again, Girl?” once again is classic ‘Tones with an amazing middle eight. “Dancing On Ice” has a breezy chorus, but then the guys take a few chances on “Half A Mind” – where an angry rant contrasts with the singers sweet thoughts. An excellent group of songs, that’s followed up by…

Amazon | CD Baby

Jamie and Steve “Imaginary Cafe” EP
“Imagine a place,” Jamie said, “where our guitars are always in tune, our voices in great shape, the audience smiling after every song…the perfect gig. What would we call it?” That’s the premise of the title track, with a few Pepperisms thrown in. “Gold Mine” has a country rhythm, with fantastic beat and banjo picking. The gentle “Tokyo Sleeping” has some sweeping Brian Wilson styled harmonies at the song’s end. But unlike the previous EP experiment, “A Dangerous Man To Know” doesn’t quite work. They redeem themselves with “We Two,” a creative song that should be theme music for the duo whenever they take the stage. A highly enjoyable EP that makes a perfect pair.

Amazon | CD Baby