Category: EP reviews

Son of Skooshny and Cheap Perfume

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Son of Skooshny “Lovers Leap of Faith”
This is the project of Skooshny founder Mark Breyer and its a pretty good combination of power pop and roots based rock and roll. “Another Time” has a touch of Tom Petty and a terrific buzzing guitar riff. Breyer’s vocal cadence also resembles Petty on the wonderfully written “Candy Air.” The multi-tracked harmony of “The Right Idea” and bass driven “You Can’t Love Me” keeps things on a slow but steady course. The nicely melodic “Science Changes Everyone” picks things up and it’s chorus will be humming in your head. Not everything is as compelling, but it’s not boring either and it occasionally throws us a curve, like the crunchy pysche pop of “Kate’s Green Phone.” No filler here and a very worthy album that rewards the patient listener.

CD Baby | Amazon

Cheap Perfume “4 By Cheap Perfume” EP
Billed as the first all-female punk band, Cheap Perfume was formed in 1977 by two waitresses working at CBGBs. The girls having boyfriends in the Tuff Darts and The Sorrows, had easy access to equipment and rehearsal time, and they named the band after a Rick Derringer song. They played for many years as a successful opening band at the famous Max’s Kansas City and CBGBs. However not having an album, they were designated as a local sensation and historical footnote. 25 years later the band reunited and plays some of it’s best known work in this EP. Fans of Jana Peri, The Runaways and The Pretenders will love this. Lead guitarist Bunny said ““We believe the spirit of CBGB and the New York punk scene will always live on.” After hearing this, I totally agree.

CD Baby | My Space

Origami Hologram “Bats In The Attic” EP

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Sometimes it makes sense for a power pop artist to test out a different sound. That’s exactly what Justin Kline is doing with this new band Origami Hologram.  Using a noise pop template Justin is joined by Dan Wax (Bass, background vocals) and Jamie Mclane (Drums) recording it all in his home studio in Murfreesboro, TN. “Bats In The Attic” uses textures like Robert Pollard, with amp hum and feedback as part of each song (mostly as a backing layer) and extra fuzzy guitars. Justin’s earnest vocals and harmonies still work each on composition, the standout being “Ghost Horse”. It’s all pretty good and best of all it a FREE Download. Enjoy!

Dark Ocean Colors and Jenny O.

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Dark Ocean Colors “Dark Ocean Colors”
The duo of Scott Hunt and Mark Mikel have worked on many projects together (including The Pillbugs and The Sprags) to create a rich tapestry of psychedelic textures and looping melodies using numerous instruments (guitars, Mellotrons, violins, etc.) and old analog gear to give it an authentic vintage sound. “My Barbara Closed The Doors” gets started right where the Pillbugs left off and it sounds great. “Crashing The Sky” sports a marching beat to the swirling guitars and vocal harmonies. Fans of progressive rock will also love this, as it’s a got a strong instrumentation on “The Other Line” and sunshine pop fans will swoon over “Lazy Lighthouse Jupiter Band” and the baroque “Same Old Mistake.”

This is an album is a real grower for audiophiles that reveals gorgeous musical tidbits with each listen. It did appear on a few “best of” lists for last year for that reason — as even weaker tracks, like “She’s  A Cornucopia” are performed so beautifully, despite the lack of a hook. Best comparison I have is The Olivia Tremor Control’s Dusk At Cubist Castle but with better harmonies. Just listen to the vocals on “Dream Away” and try not to be impressed. This is one great headphones album.

Amazon | Itunes

Listen to “My Barbara Closed The Doors”

Jenny O. “Home” EP
Jenny O. reminds me a bit of Anya Marina mixed with Janis Ian, it’s got hints of folk, blues and a very sparse production. Honestly the bass hook and brazen lyrics on “Well OK Honey” just drew me in here and its cool beyond words. “All My Wishes” is a great showcase for Jenny’s melodic vocal and the gentle folk acoustic guitar and steady beat makes “Won’t Let You Leave” another winner.

Another solid melody is on the old piano ballad “I Do I Do” where it builds with double tracked harmonies and tambourines to a complex weave of melodies that would make Brian Wilson proud. I can’t wait till the full length – this EP is highly recommended for sure – also check out the video.
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LL Cosmonaut, Queen Electric and IKE

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A few quick EP reviews before the ball drops on 2011…

LL Cosmonaut “Why X-5” EP
The new project from Paul Steel is described as kalaedeoscopic, irreverant, melodic Lazer Pop. Call it whatever you like, it’s pretty darn good. A stellar mix of guitars, effects and dance beats all greet us on “Why X-5.” I’m sure if Roger Manning Jr. had joined the band OMD it may have sounded like  “We Came in Peace” with it’s sunshine friendly harmonies and electronic loops. Each song is lushly orchestrated and best of all it’s available for FREE on the band’s website. Get it quick!

LL Cosmonaut website

Queen Electric “Queen Electric” EP
Another favorite artist of this site, Scott Sax slipped this EP out over the summer. The opener “Gonna Let You Down” is like a power pop version of Led Zeppelin. Scott still has the gift of great melodic choruses and solid harmonies. But here he adds guitar muscle and real atmosphere behind each tune, which earns it major props from me. The remaining tracks try a few different techniques, all with good results. No filler anywhere on this 7 track EP. Again, this is an easy purchase (name you own price) if you’re tapped out from all that holiday shopping.

 

IKE “The Little People, Church and the Steeple” EP
Scott Sax’s former band, the Philadelphia based IKE is still chugging along. John Faye (Caulfields) continues to take IKE in a hard rock direction here through 5 tracks, and the other half of the album contains all acoustic versions. All well and good on the opener “Rock And Roll Dreams” which really drives up those guitars. The other songs are also impressive. Standouts include “IF I Can Help It” and “Glorious Mistake.” The acoustic versions give you a preview of IKE’s living room shows and how well they translate each song to a single guitar.

CD Baby | Reverb Nation

 

Kurt Baker and Ross and The Wrongens

powerpopaholic

A few quick EP reviews before the ball drops on 2011…

Kurt Baker “Rockin’ For A Living” EP
Former lead singer of The Leftovers, Kurt has made a big splash with an album of cover tunes, and now his own material wows us on Rockin For A Living.  This EP proves to be one of the best of 2011, opening with “Just Forget About It” with a memorable chorus similar in style to classic Elvis Costello. The handclaps and harmonies are all over “Don’t Steal My Heart Away” and it proves to be incredibly catchy. “Can’t Have Her Back” and “Why You Gotta Lie” are also real power pop gems. Kurt’s enthusiasm for the material spills out over the speakers on each tune. He even gets a little punky on the closer “The Problem.” Easily a “must-get” EP for fans of great rock and roll. I can’t wait to see what Kurt does next!

Amazon | Itunes

Ross And The Wrongens “Live In The Loos” EP
This is a talented new band with some classical rock and jazz influences. Opening with “That Magic Feeling, ” it’s got those sweet “sha-la-la” harmonies and Hammond organ slides. The next gem here is “Summer Sun” with it’s jazzy flair and bouncing melody. Lead singer Ross Wrongen has a vocal that wavers between hope and angst, and it’s pretty expressive on “Through with You (Ballad Of An Alcoholic).” Live In The Loos reminds me of The Kinks, Counting Crows and The Turtles all having a jam session. It’s a short but sweet EP with 4 “ready for AM radio” styled tracks. Give it a listen.

My Space | Amazon | Itunes