Category: EP reviews

New EPs: Darlings, Jim Camacho and Chris Alvy Band

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Darlings “Warma” EP

If you’re into by the numbers garage pop with a sugary coating than Darlings will be a real treat. The band was started by singer/guitarist Peter Rynsky from his NYC apartment with three friends. Peter and co-vocalist Maura Lynch give us a sweet pop duet layered on top of punk guitars on “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself”. The melodies here on “Spit It Out” and “Don’t Wanna Hang Out Tonight” really keep your attention, similar to The Creaky Boards lo-fi Beach Boys bedroom pop. Give these guys a chance and I think they’ll grow on you pretty quickly.
My Space | Darlings Site | Amazon

Jim Camacho “Is It Me” EP

Camacho made his initial mark with the Goods, a South Florida band. He’s recently been touring with Dreaming In Stereo. ‘Is It Me’ is melodic pop with Jim’s trademark earnest vocals, which reminds me of Joe Cocker without any gravel in this throat. The tracks are all stellar and the self-directed title track is typical of this heartfelt work. “Debutante” is another standout, with catchy chorus and a descriptive portrait of a heartbreak and girl who’s “happy in your life without me.” It’s easy to see why Jim has won numerous local music awards for his songwriting, as it simply resonates with you.
CD Baby | Amazon

Chris Alvy Band “Anything Goes” EP
Miami based Chris Alvy brings us some excellent guitar riffs and vocal harmonies on the title track from ‘Anything Goes.’ Songs are instantly memorable, for example “The Fall” sounds like a combo of Cheap Trick and Split Enz. The 70’s styled guitar crunchiness and chord combinations make tracks like “Something New” really standout. Stylistically, tracks like the Extreme-ish “This Is Yur Life” and the acoustic “Your Smile” are a bit less consistent, but no less compelling. I dare you not to sing along on the latter track with it’s strumming chorus of “Yabba Dabba Doo.” Easily one of the most impressive debut EPs this year. Where is that full length LP? I can’t wait for this one.
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New EPs: Deon Toh, Eytan & The Embassy and the Sound of Growing Up

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Deon Toh “Letters” EP

Singapore native Deon Toh isn’t quite traditional power pop but creates solid pop compositions with intricate piano melodies that recall Eric Matthews. “I’ll Find A Way” is a great start and the soaring strings in “Little Lives” make it a standout. “Ties” bring to mind the casual easy listening John Mayer used to be famous for. “Take My Heart With You” has a calm confidence that shines through each note. Overall, a real treat for lovers of baroque pop out there.
FREE download from Bandcamp

Eytan And The Embassy “The Free” EP

Eytan & The Embassy is is a 6-piece soul-powered rock group from Brooklyn. The party starts with the funky “No Reason To Cry” and the catchy theme of “The Good Life” has a wonderful piano chorus and dense orchestration.  “From Now On” is a slow ballad that has a bit of 50’s style and “Good Morning Marilyn” delights with it’s clean pop composition and stuck-in-your head melody. I hope Eytan expands on this project — I would like to retreat to this pop asylum!
FREE download from Bandcamp 

The Sound of Growing Up “Drifting” EP

This one isn’t a free download, but it’s worth checking out if just for the terrific opening single “The Kite” which bangs away on a piano like a mix of Ben Folds and John Faye of IKE. The following tracks aren’t bad either, “Swing” and “I Have No Reason” are also memorable. Both tracks makes great use of vocalist-guitarist Justin Kao. A very promising start and hopefully a full length album is forthcoming.
Facebook | Bandcamp

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New EPs: Larabee, Cowbois and The Orion Experience

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The Orion Experience “NYC Girl” EP

TThe Orion Experience create songs that don’t quit, full of stuck-in-your-head choruses, taut arrangements and a slightly acidic lyrical bent that often belies all the poppiness. I’ve followed them from the beginning and with ‘NYC Girl’ its clear the bands improving. The title track is the best pop single I’ve heard since The Virgins “One Week Of Danger”. Other excellent songs include the strutting “Vampire” and bouncy “Rollercoaster.” A special treat is the duet between Orion Simprini and Linda Horwatt on “Sweet Friend” with a nod to Queen’s own “You’re My Best Friend.” Hands down the best EP this year so far.
Facebook | CD Baby | Amazon

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog “Dyddiau Du, Dyddiau Gwym”

Most of the time I don’t venture into foreign language bands, but this was an exception. Rhos Botwnnog is a tiny piece of land just north of the village of Botwnnog in the Llyn Peninsula in north Wales where the band was born. The sibling trio of “Cowbois” sounds so familiar, yet you will not understand a word that is spoken. It’s the melodies and instrumentation that matter more here…
Read the full review at www.rockandrollreport.com  | Amazon

Larabee “Expose a Little Wire” EP

Larabee is the project of musician Matt Maguire. His musical style is melodic pop with soothing guitar jangle and a bit of old country soul, as evidenced on his opener “Little Liar.” The next track “Cold Dark Night” explores a typical country theme with reverence and humility that recalls Blue Rodeo or The Jayhawks at their catchiest.  This is followed by the somber “9:58pm” which details the last thoughts of a man dying from an auto accident. Matt’s cadence is much like James Taylor and each song is impressively written and performed.
Bandcamp | Amazon | CD Baby

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EP reviews: John Hardy, White Star Liners and The Americans

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Jon Hardy & The Public “A Hard Year” EP
If Morrissey had joined Wilco at some early point, it could be described as Jon Hardy & The Public. The song “Nobody Like You” has a sweet hook and classic rock riffs that contrast with the sobering lyrics. Hardy’s voice is deep and bluesy, but very accessible and pop friendly. The descriptive stories and ringing guitars make each song an atmospheric gem. Echoes of early Jackson Browne and Springsteen are also detectable, but the important thing here is it teases the listener into wanting more. Consider that goal met.
CD Baby | Amazon

White Star Liners “Occam’s Razor” EP 
The band’s sound has been described as a ‘mix of elements of Granddaddy and Sparklehorse with a peculiar English pop sensibility’. It’s also got a bit of Weezer thrown in as well on the title track. Bursting with buzzing guitar riffs and winning over musicians (both Ray Davies and Jason Lytle are fans) this is a band to keep your eye on. My favorite track here is the gorgeous hook-filled chorus on “Digging For Bombs” which will give alt pop fans goosebumps. They’ve played the IPO festivals in New York and Liverpool and come highly recommended by Dave Bash, so get this today! 

The Americans “White” EP
An unsigned band lead by singer/producer Charlie Klarsfeld appropriates a pastiche of pop influences, and he’s got an assist from Sean Lennon on the single “Requiem.” The band is a true amalgam of styles but it always keeps that pop hook in the forefront. Starting with “Try (Nobody Wants To)” featuring Daniel Merriweather, its a bit Motown and those horns make it a party you want to join. “The Antidote” is a bit like Sly & The Family Stone updated for this century. Every track is a winner, but my favorite is the guitar and piano epic “Diamond” which compares well with Josh Fix. Vote for them to make the cover of Rolling Stone!
My Space | Facebook | Amazon
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The Bigger Lovers and Marisa Levy

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The Bigger Lovers “Little Giant Maxi Single” EP
After 7 years, The Bigger Lovers re-emerge from self imposed exile and according to drummer Patrick Berkery, these tracks were recorded in 2005 with the help of Tony Goddess (Papas Fritas). “Talon Show” is superb jangle ballad and the follow up “I’m Not The Sort” has a Brill Building pop feel. “Little Giant” is nice guitar single that recalls the band’s past. This release will be followed by the 10th anniversary reissue of the 2001 debut How I Learned to Stop Worrying. I always wondered what happened to The Bigger Lovers – now I can look forward to more new material.

Marissa Levy “63 Songs About Joe” EP
With a big voice, a talent for witty lyrics and the ability to write a damn catchy melody, she is so much more than just a small girl with a big guitar. Her latest EP is a mature leap from her earlier works. Produced by the great Mike Viola and engineered by Ducky Carlisle, 63 Songs About Joe draws on such varied influences as The Beatles, Prince, Harry Nilsson and The Beach Boys. “A Love Song” has a fresh confident vocal and bouncy tempo that will easily make you smile. The acoustic guitar strums of “Growing Up To Do” builds with layered harmonies and Mike does some backing vocals here. In fact, it was so catchy, that I will begin to explore Marissa’s past LPs.

Pre order at Marissa Levy.com  | CD Baby
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