Category: EP reviews

Spirit Kid and Khalid Hanifi

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Spirit Kid “Happiness” EP
This is the a solid follow up EP to his 2010 debut, a burst of joyous guitars and dense harmonies on the opening title track is sure to wake you up. This moves seamlessly into “That Kind Of Man” with a bit more muscle, along the lines of The Posies. My favorite track is the “Sir Robert The Brave” it’s bouncy beat and ever shifting chords, that recall Cherry Twister and The Velvet Crush. The Rickenbacker acoustic ballad “Fool To Fall” is another charmer. “Down A River” is also a gem similar in style to Apples in Stereo. Overall, it’s exemplary power pop of the first order and one of the best EPs of the year.

Itunes | Amazon

Khalid Hanifi “A Brief Respite From Shooting Fish In A Barrel”
Hanifi has a melodic gift  and here he makes a political statement. He gives us his take on a military contractor’s bravado on the opener “Free The World To Death” done in slow shuffle, similar to Randy Newman. It’s a political protest of how bringing democracy to Afganistan is a “soul crushing screw” to the natives. Next “The Splendor of Empire” has a relaxed melody that charms, and the biting lyrics “There’s class warfare alright/But it’s the rich that’s making war.”

You may not like his politics, but Hanifi is one of the best weavers of lyric and catchy melody since Andy Partidge. Another gem about the lowly 99% is “Whose idea was that?” and the jangle pop on “Hog Futures” leads to a bouncy chorus. It ends with a garage rocker “Give Them What They Want.” But this is a real serious album dealing with corruption, war and inequality – not really cheery pop stuff. But so well done, you take the medicine with the sweet melody.

CD Baby | Amazon

The Jellybricks and John Lefler

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The Jellybricks “Suckers” EP
The Jellybricks have been the model of power pop consistency, with solid melodic rock since 1997, and with the new EP Suckers, the band continues its terrific tradition. The mood is a bit more downbeat than past albums, with similarities to Superdrag (“Rock n’ Roll Suicide”) and Blink-182 (“Beryllium”) cropping up.

But the bands sound is even tighter and music arrangements are denser, from the opening track to the excellent “Sold” with its shout along chorus. The moving rock ballad “Dead End Girl” shows off the excellent harmonies and the acoustic version of the neurotic “Who Is God,” is a re-make from the band’s debut Kinky Boot Beast. One of my favorite EPs this year, pick this one up.

Jellybricks.com | Amazon

 

John Lefler “Shoutfire” EP
Dashboard Confessional’s lead guitarist returns after his solid debut LP with a more commercial, slicker adult contemporary effort.The ringing guitar chords from the title track remind one of Crowded House or even Toad The Wet Sprocket.

The light strums of “The Good Life” are soothing, and the next track “Shelter In Place” has a killer rhythm that just sticks in your head. Then the tracks just get sparser, more personal, my favorite here is “Broken People” where John’s voice carries the lyrical story about emotional fragility with perfect pitch. Another winner, you shouldn’t miss.

CD Baby | Amazon

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

Bill DeMain and Ben Kweller

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Bill DeMain “Extended Stay” EP
Nashville songwriter Bill DeMain has written for an impressive array of musicians (Marshall Crenshaw, David Mead, Bleu, Kim Richey, and Farrah) but now he goes solo. However he lost his home during the May 2010 flood, and months later a second home was burned to the ground by a stray cigarette butt. That led to a transient existence, and he wrote a lot of music in that time.

The autobiographical “Looking For A Place To Live” starts out with its acoustic strum and sad tale. Next is the Paul Simon meets Beach Boys romp of “St. Joe’s ’75” as it looks back at his Catholic School years. “In Your Letter” is a Gershwin styled piano ballad, and the McCartneyeque “Honeylove” is another tender musical treat. Rounded out by the Billy Joel influenced “Common Love Song” and soft shoe shuffle of the bittersweet “Raggedy Man” there is no flaw here, other than it’s simply too short. My favorite EP this year! Please Bill can I have some more?

Ben Kweller “Go Fly A Kite”
Ben Kweller been a dependable artist on the power pop front—and after getting his Ryan Adams styled country mojo out on his last album Changing Horses, it’s nice to find Ben going back to his pop rock roots (for a few tracks).

Kweller’s songwriting has always been quality whether he’s doing garage rock, folk, or country. And just to prove it to those who doubt his power pop cred, he opens with “Mean To Me” where he states “Don’t regret anything I ever did, because I always knew where I was coming from…”  to a kick-ass guitar riff and defiant chord progression. The remaining parts of the album aren’t as rockin’ but they’re still darn good. “Out The Door” is an impressive Wilco-styled bit of country pop that is easily the catchiest thing on the album. Leaning on influences as varied as Dylan, Tom Petty and The Eagles. “Free” is a good tune that recalls Joe Walsh, and “Full Circle” has a easy bounce and playful piano melody.

Kweller gives us one more rocker,“Time Will Save The Day” that compares well with Weezer or The Lemonheads – and its like a breath of fresh air after all that steel pedal twang throughout the rest of the album. It ends with wonderful strumming anthem, “You Can Count On Me.” No clunkers here, but the remaining tracks don’t stand out as much. A lively and cheerful return to form.

benkweller.com | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Mid-Week Mini Reviews

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Sometimes there are just too many good releases and not enough time to review them all. These releases are definitely worth checking out – so I did a few quick reviews here.

Edward Rogers “Porcelain “
Birmingham UK bred Edward Rogers made NYC his home and has put together a great rock and roll album. Part T.Rex and Iggy Pop come across on the opener “The Biba Crowd.” Then on “Nothing Too Clever” we venture into flowery baroque pop, similar to mid 60’s Bowie. Some great slide guitar on the Dylanesque “Love With The World” and back to garage-fuzz greatness on “Separate Walls.”  Equally impressive are the rich and poignant ballads like “Tears Left in the Bottle” and the Ian Hunter styled “Link to the Chain” with Rogers grizzled vocal at his most expressive. Highly recommended.
My Space | Amazon

Little Barrie “King of The Waves”
Searching for that killer riff? Consider it found here. London-based trio whose garage sound is an exciting blend of hard rock, blues, and they get it right on the very first track “Surf Hell.” The pop influence of indie pop stalwart Edwyn Collins is clear on “How Come.” Fans of The Creation, MC5 and Primal Scream will feel right at home here. Tracks like “I Can’t Wait” and “Money In Paper” have a raw energy that’s hard to deny. And lead singer Barrie Cadogan’s swaggering tone makes those famous Gallager brothers sound like amateurs. A few bluesy stoner tracks are thrown in to fill things out, but overall a delicious sonic assault. Check out the great video too.
Facebook | Amazon

Maxi Dunn “The Neglected Gambit”
Maxi Dunn is a singer/songwriter from Liverpool, England who has appeared one of my favorite artists albums (Lauri Biagini) and did tributes to The Jellyfish and The Posies, and while The Neglected Gambit isn’t straight power pop, it does have it’s own upbeat confessional mix of rock and pop folk. Some of the sound has echoes of the 80’s in “Why Do I Want You?” and the catchy “Make it Better” are highlights in a very diverse and emotional album.
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Taylor McMahon “Memory Music” EP
If you’d like charming acoustic pop, give Taylor McMahon’s debut EP a listen. McMahon is from Lake Charles, Louisiana and his music lies somewhere between Jack Johnson and Ben Kweller with an emphasis on catchy and simple melodies. “Rhyme & Rhythm” starts off with a casual strum and “The Donnie Song (It’s All Alright)” has a bit of local color. Both songs have a catchy sing along quality and I look forward to more from Taylor in the future.
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