Category: EP reviews

LL Cosmonaut, Queen Electric and IKE

powerpopaholic

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

 

Sunbears! and The Farewells

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Sunbears! “You Will Live Forever”
Jonathan Berlin and Jared Bowser are the orchestrated indie rock band from Florida known as The Sunbears. Opening with “You Will Live Forever,” it’s a solemn piano intro akin to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata with harmonies. It charges right into the heavy handclap and beat of “Give Love A Try” with it’s echoing hippy chorus. The classic influences are spread around, like if Radiohead, Muse and Phil Spector are all sharing a toke. Both “I’m Crazy” and “Together Forever” share that wall of sound, with the latter tune evoking Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance.” The psychedelic vibes get heavier on “Strung Out! On My Own!” with a solid hook in the chorus, surrounded by a symphonic cacophony. Another grand chorus is found in “They Think They’re Soooo Philosphical” the album’s true centerpiece. Fans of The Flaming Lips, Polyphonic Spree and MGMT will definitely want to add this to their playlist.

My Space | Facebook | Amazon

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The Farewells “Litterbug”
Peter and Samantha Linnane are the husband/wife duo called the Farewells. This is subtle and unassuming indie folk pop done with superior musicianship and polish. The slow jangle of “Beehive” is an lovely atmospheric portrait of the autumn season with some dreamy harmonies.  “Lovesick” has the easy going mood of Bread or The Autumn Defense, and a catchy guitar rhythm and chorus that sticks in your head. Another highlight is the sweet pop of “Nightlight” with it’s Byrdisan strums, and the title cut has a slow blues tempo with distorted twang over handclaps to the lyrics “Don’t use me up/ Don’t throw me out/Oooo my Litterbug”. However the easy going atmosphere can make listing to the  jazz-touched “Burgundy Red” or gentle instrumental “Biking Song” an effortless, and forgettable experience. But when it melodically hits the sweet spot I can’t think of a better set of folk compositions.

Bandcamp | Itunes

Hurricane Fighter Plane and The NewNo2

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Hurricane Fighter Plane “s/t” EP
Fans of Rainbow Quartz retro bands like the Resonars and Brit-pop bands like Oasis will appreciate this one. Classic influences are easily spotted (The Who, Small Faces, The Beatles) and dutifully applied. The band opens with the Mod rhythms of “Moonlight Through The Norfolk Pines” filled with Who-styled high energy guitar riffs. “Come Back To Me” demonstrates lead singer  Wesley Fuller’s uncanny ability to channel Noel Gallagher and the chiming chords of “It Won’t Last” make it a triumphant pop single that’s sure to linger – it belongs on your ipod now. And the band knows harmonies too, just check out the amazing “Free As The Wind.” Every tune here is filled with short, sharp, hooks guaranteed to please. An great debut and it only costs five bucks – so get it!

Facebook | Bandcamp

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TheNewNo2 “EP002” EP
The second  EP from Dhani Harrison (George’s son) collects several singles including “Live A Lie” featuring Regina Spektor as well as rapper RZA on “Mr. President.”  Fans of his dad’s somber approach will find a lot to like on “Wide Awake.” The track is a slow techno-soul ballad with a solid vocal, slow beat and spacey flourishes. “Live A Lie” is another exotic single with the flavor of a smokey lounge and Ms. Spektor’s cooing background vocal. You can get this single free on The NewNo2 Facebook page. I wasn’t thrilled with the rap, which obviously panders to Obama supporters, but maybe we can expect something more upbeat on the next EP.

Amazon | Itunes | Facebook

Back to School Mini Reviews

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This is a collection of unsigned talent that I got requests to review – so if you wanna be daring give these a try…

The Blind Sides “Circles” EP
Toronto musician Aron Harris really impressed me with this gem of an EP. The title track is similar to the piano pop of Ben Folds or The Hillary Step, it just leaps out of the speaker and grabs you. And the following tracks are pretty good, with a DIY power pop effort in “When I Look Back Now” and the alt. country of ” I Don’t Want To Let Love Get In The Way.” Lead singer Stephen Scarrow has a real gift for songwriting and composition and he knows how to really croon on “Waiting For Tomorrrow.” I can’t wait for a full release from this new talent.
Bandcamp | Facebook
Toxic Melons “Melon Jam” EP
A very DIY effort by Paul Fairbairn of Newcastle UK, Melon Jam takes it’s cue from Jellyfish, The Move and Stackridge. “The Dole” is an ambitious opener, with a Jellyfish styled chorus and harmonies. The song “You’ve Changed” is slow pop waltz full of neo-psychedelics that creates a Zappaesque atmosphere. The ender “Tomorrow” is another standout, but unfortunately the low budget production starts to show on the other tracks. Fairbairn has tons of potential here and I would love to hear more… can someone sign this man to a proper label please?
Reverb Nation | Facebook
The Sharks “Stockwell Love” EP
Lead by Paul Harvey this London band as a number of free EPs and singles available on Bandcamp. If you are more into the loud side of pop, similar to Paul Collins. Harvey has very distinct vocal that warbles like Roy Orbison a bit, but with a nasal sound that takes a little getting used to. The songwriting here is very good, and the guitar work on several singles is very impressive. “Jimmy” has tons of power and “Stories” has a great hook. Truth be told this is a great FREE collection, and you should give these guys a listen.