Category: EPs

EPs and Freebies: The Paperweight Array, Bad Athlete, Cape Cartel , The Co-Op Communique

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The Paperweight Array – Aaron Hemmington (The Sunchymes) is part of this prog-pop trio from the UK. This new 3-song EP has many influences from XTC to Genesis to Pink Floyd.

Bad Athlete is 4-piece power pop band from Norman, Oklahoma that really feels like a lost Weezer EP. Check out the dense guitars on “Yeah” and “Lonely One”
Cape Cartel is a really impressive Canadian band that sounds like a mix of Belle & Sebastian and The Moody Blues. Full of harmonies and alt. rock coolness, check out “Oh Christ.” Oh yeah, this is a FREE download.
DW Dunphy has another terrific compilation for us as Volume 4 of the Co-Op Communique collects some great power pop, rock, punk, and indie folk. Contributions from Gretchen’s Wheel, The Well Wishers, Paul Melancon, The Click Beetles, Soper 8, Phil Yates and much more. A massive 57 tracks and its all a FREE download.

Videos and Freebies: Coach Hop, Andy Ketch, Gerry O’Keefe, Skeleton Staff

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This is a sweet single by a new band called Coach Hop, the brainchild of London musician Charlie Laurence. It’s very much in the Weezer-style and while on the surface its a love song to the titular pop star by a fan, upon closer inspection is an observation on the state of the modern music industry. Get it on Amazon


Andy Ketch of Mooner has a solo LP here with a grungy sounding set of pop tunes. “Oh Summer” and “New Day” would’ve fit nicely on a ’90s rock comp. “Things Fall Apart” is another good one. FREE download.

Chicago-area artist Gerry O’Keefe was part of powerpop act The Hideouts. His melodic style blends classic popcraft with roots- and folk-based elements. “Tenth Round Punches” and “Never Was A Dancer” are standouts on this unusual solo release. FREE download.

Boy, do I miss Skeleton Staff. It sounds like the funk that the band has been in since the Cabaret-like musical KURFÜRSTENDAMMNED remains, as “It’s Murder” is a low key paean to gun culture apathy. But it does have a neat break at the 2:50 mark and it is a FREE download.

Tuesday EPs: Cotton Mather, Orouni, You’re Among Friends

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Cotton Mather

Cotton Mather “Young Life” EP

Following Cotton Mather’s Wild Kingdom album from April, bandleader Robert Harrison’s ambitious goal of his “Songs From The I Ching” project is near the halfway point. The project includes writing 64 tracks, one for each hexagram of the I Ching, the ancient text which he refers to as an “extraordinary book about ordinary life”

Young Life E.P. adds six more originals to the project and its sadness is apparent as these are the final recordings with the band’s late bassist, George Reiff, who’d been with them since the Kontiki days.“Mighty Girl” is a standout with a jangling riffs and poignant chorus. “Dutch Light” continues the somber tone, with the sole rocking songs here “Eleanor Plunge” and “Shepherds Purse.” Harrison’s music is consistently excellent and highly recommended.

Amazon

Orouni

Orouni “Somewhere In Dreamland” EP

French band Orouni isn’t power pop, but it is a lot of fun to listen to. I enjoyed “Makeshift Fans” from their 2014 album Grand Tour. This EP was a little more mainstream reinterpretation with French-British artist Emma Broughton (Bon Iver, Lisa Hannigan) providing the lead vocals. The distinct percussion is what stands out, “Speedball” is a quick bouncy tune, and “Unca Pugilator” has catchy synth chorus with Emma’s light as air vocals. This short EP is definitely worth exploring.

Amazon

You're Among Friends

You’re Among Friends “One Day You’ll Look Back” EP

This Cleveland rock band has been described as “bluesy power pop,” but it sounds to me a little bit like a really loose version of Steely Dan, the jazzy “I’m Happier Now” and funky wah-wah chords on “Back To Work Tomorrow” are worth exploring. The production is a little muddy, but the band does a good job in composing each song. And you can explore the band’s entire output on Bandcamp and you can name-your-price.

Bandcamp

EPs and Singles: Freddy Monday, Ken Sharp and The Vice Rags

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The catchy goodness of Freddy Monday is back with a new single “Me Are You Are Me” and I hope it’s the start of a new album since it’s been a long while.  Get it on Amazon

Ken Sharp was also a big fan of the late David Cassidy. So he quickly wrote this song to help support David’s charity, the Alzheimer’s Association. Ken is joined by Fernando Perdomo and Rob Bonfiglio. Get this one today! Also available on Amazon



So the band Readymade Breakup has broken up… and in its place is The Vice Rags. This is a band that’s willing to give you the unwashed truth with three chords and a deadly hook, just the way you like it. Based in Asbury Park, New Jersey its members are: Paul Rosevear (vocals/guitar), Joe Chyb (drums), Jack Roberts (guitar) and Gay Elvis (bass/vocals). Check out this cool debut EP, “Shut Up and Love Me” rocks all out, “Jersey Boy” and “Out On The Street” are great rock anthems. Don’t miss it! Bandcamp only

Thanksgiving EP Feast: The Condors, Fuzzy-Vox, The Cleaners From Venus

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The Condors

The Condors “Joie De Vivre” EP

The Condors is the main duo of singer/guitarist Patrick DiPuccio and drummer (Sitcom Neighbor leader) John Murphy, with selected bass players filling in. The trio creates a full and energetic sound that ignites their live shows. This EP collects some singles, and will really appeal to fans of The Connection, Watts or Kurt Baker. Highlights include “Girl Trouble,” “Tell It To The Judge” and my favorite instrumental this year, “High Chaparral.”

Amazon | CD Baby

Fuzzy Vox

Fuzzy Vox “Ba-Da-Boom” EP

Fuzzy Vox is a hook-heavy trio who’d easily pass for The Hives’s younger French cousins. They’re pushing a kind of power pop that’s heartfelt, but endearingly immature. With Ba-Da-Boom the band harnesses that explosive energy on “I Fell In Love With The World” and “Eyes On You.” A bit of Elvis Costello snarl comes through on “Cold Justice.” A great little EP that gives you a sense of the band at a live concert.

Amazon

Cleaners From Venus

Cleaners From Venus “Martin Newell’s Jumble Sale”

While technically, not an EP, this is a collection of unheard/unearthed recordings dating from 1975 to present day from the great Martin Newell. Lots of stuff that I’m amazed didn’t get released elsewhere, lots more stuff that’s very much like demos. The jangling “Scarecrow Hair” is a wonderful Cleaners single. Other highlights include; “Red Guitars and Silver Tambourines,” and “The Lunatic Lantern.” Worth exploring for sure.

Bandcamp