Category: EP reviews

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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The Silver Liners, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and Sklyer

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The Silver Liners “s/t” EP
A terrific band just gets better here. Washington, D.C. based Silver Liners have merged the catchy pop of Maroon 5 with the guitar assault of Foo Fighters on their new self titled EP. Starting with the danceable rock of “Runnin’ Through My Head” the melody hooks you and keep you around for the brilliant riffs on “Hot Mess.” Every single track shines here, my favorites being “Without A Face” and the funky “Just Like The Rest” with a beat guaranteed to make you move. Highly recommended and  if you’re looking for the new vanguard of guitar based power pop – this is it. I can’t wait for the full length album as this is the best new EP I’ve heard this year.
The silverliners.com | Amazon

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart  “Heart In Your Heartbreak” EP
Neatly described by Rolling Stone as a “Bell & Sebastian/Smashing Pumpkins collaboration.” This is an infectious slice of chunky power-pop with a great beat, sweeping synths and well-placed guitar jangle, it’s immediately obvious that the a production team has brought out the best in the band. Both songs on this short EP are great and would sit just fine next to Teenage Fanclub on your ipod. The band has been releasing material at a feverish pace so check out the earlier EPs and hear them evolve.
My Space | Amazon 

Skyler “Long Gone” EP
It’s rare that I look at a teen prodigy but Skyler is a better than most, and he’s got a little Beatle in him on the catchy opener “Hold My Hand.” Plus he knows loads about rock hooks on the arena ready “Any Stupid Thing” and the anthemic jangle of “It’s Just The Night” recalls DelAmitri melodies with Bon Jovi bombast. Each tune here boasts solid songwriting and strong production. A few countryfied miscues on “Stephanie” aside, it’s no surprise that this is Skyler’s fifth EP. He’s already a veteran musician and only a freshman at the Berklee College of Music, so this is your chance to hear a future star.
MySpace | Amazon

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Hardcore Lounge, The Villas and The Rocketboys

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Hardcore Lounge “Dance Of My Life”
Some bands just don’t fit neatly into a music category. Chris and Wes Johnson from Charlotte, NC have a background with The Johnson Family Singers. The band plays in a classical pop ensemble, with a variety of instruments and players including Mary Massie (flute, keyboards), Marco Heeter (bass) and Marlon Young (drums). The clean production work showcases what could be lounge pop with an avant guarde twist. I liked the brassy “Holiday” and quirky “Super Sized” – not power pop for sure, but you may enjoy it if labels aren’t that important to your musical experience.
MySpace | CD Baby

The Villas “Jamie” EP
This Austin band’s got spunk and loves loud melodic pop, in the Weezer vein. Lead singer Jonathan Berry snarles out every tune, with a crunchy guitar by Bryan Winter. But as much as they try, the band still has a long way to go and the rough harmonies don’t quiet cut it. The acoustic “Fading In My Mind” brings to mind those old Stones ballads, and I liked this tune the best. 
Villas Music | Bandcamp

The Rocketboys “Wellwisher” EP
Another Austin, TX band creates moody pop with anthemic arrangements, lead singer Brandon Kinder kind of recalls Sting if he was part of Coldplay. “Narrow Space” opens with strong drum fills, floating synth strings and Kinder’s strong croon takes over. The band has already begun writing its second full-length, which will be out by summer 2011 and feature a bucket of brand new songs from the six-piece group.
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Baby Scream and The Brigadier EP

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Baby Scream “Identity Theft” EP

Argentinean transplant Juan Mazzola follows up his catchy debut with is this new release that features 7 songs, including 2 covers: John Lennon’s “Mucho Mungo “and Rinaldo Rafanelli’s “Ojos Orientales.” There is much more of Lennon’s influence and sound over the entire EP. Many songs use a simple slow rhythm and have a weary resignation about them. “Dead Woman Walking” sounds like a pop funeral dirge about a woman “running out of friends, running out of life.” The song “Memories” has some nice guitar work over a simple bass drumbeat that keeps things a bit more lively, but even on “Nicole” Juan admits he’s “run out of lyrics.” Much of the heavy mood is undone by the over produced vocal echo of “Underground Blues.” Fans of both Lennon and even his son Julian may like this, but it’s missing the hooks that made John’s songs so memorable.

My Space | Amazon


The Brigadier “The Edge Of Spring” EP

Have have enjoyed the music of Matt Williams aka The Brigadier for quiet a while now, and after his last album we find him stretching his songwriting legs with a seasonal theme. It opens quietly with “Song for a New Year” which strums along and builds to a sweet melodic chorus. “Be my Valentine” and “February” have a Ray Davies styled cynicism and dry wit to them. The four minute mostly instrumental “Last Day of Winter” has a magical quality and then “She brings the Spring” is very much in the light pop mold of The Orange Peels. Part of this cycle began with “Rhymes for Rainy Days (Autumn)”. I would encourage Matt to finish the cycle on his next offering (Summer). This EP is only offered digitally from Matt’s site.

My Space | Brigadier’s Site

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