Category: EPs

Free Music Monday: Mooner, Prevrat and Andy Klingensmith

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Mooner “Making Americans”
Mooner has a new single and b-side, recorded as a quick follow up to the Unpronounceable Name EP from last year. You just gotta love that opening with a multi-tracked guitar riff. Enjoy!


Prevrat “Symbols”
This a bit off the genre path; its a mix of ambient psychedelics and I like the trippy jangle rhythms of “I You Two” and the industrial-techno guitar on “Safe Distance.” The highlight for me is the mix of acoustic and electrics on “Abandoned.” The vocals kinda get drowned out and at times you’ll wanna skip a track or two, but overall a worthy freebie.

 

Andy Klingensmith “Pictures Of”
Son of Futureman Records producer Keith Klingensmith, Andy takes a lighter approach towards ambient chamber pop, with light indie harmonies in the style of The Free Design or The Sea and Cake. A very engaging debut.

 

Keith Klingensmith and the TM Collective “Volume 2”
Well let’s not forget about Keith’s own covers series with the TM Collective. Gotta love the note-by-note perfection on The Who’s “Kids are Alright” and Davies’ “Waterloo Sunset.” They also know how to rock out, hear The Soft Boys cover of “I Wanna Destroy You.” Thanks for the goodies Keith!

The Left Behind and The Taters

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The Left Behind “Volume One: We’re Already Gone” EP
From Marshalls Creek, PA comes a musician/producer named Tim O’Grady. His new project The Left Behind will appeal to fans of The Secret Powers, especially the opening track “She’s Had Enough Of Us.” The strong vocals, hand claps and dense melody of “I Don’t Want To Go Home” is another standout, along with the follow up “Is It Because?” Each song has a solid hook, even with a catchy organ bridge (similar to Smashmouth) on “I Won’t Regret A Single Thing.” I’m not sure if it was done on purpose, but the sound compression is fairly distracting – the backing vocals and rhythm often fuzzing into oblivion, especially on the last track “There You Go.” Also not sure if the music has anything to do with the popular Apocalyptic book series, but thank the Lord – this is a FREE download on Facebook!

Bandcamp | Facebook FREE download

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The Taters “Taters Party”
The Taters are an eclectic mix of roots-rock, power-pop, with country and bluegrass tendencies. The band loves the old 60’s era pop influences and decided to get together a “live” show in the spirit of The Beach Boys Party LP. The good news is the album is an enjoyable one, boasting a colorful combination of covers and originals. “Pageboy” sets the casual tone, with guitars and bongos and the cover of Ringo’s “Photograph” is also very well arranged and performed. But the highlight of the disc came next; the catchy “New Girlfriend” and jazzy bounce of “Thingamajig.” But they get too ambitious, and Squeeze’s “Goodbye Girl” is sung like a Mariachi band. Worse, “Help Me Rhonda” makes it painfully obvious they can’t sing in perfect 4-part harmonies. Thankfully, the band gets back on track with a cool mash-up “Smoke on Route 66” and closes strong with the brilliant bluegrass styled “Titanic.” Perfect fun if you like a rockin’ Prairie Home Companion.

Amazon | CD Baby

Jingle, Jingle… Holiday Singles!

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Vegas With Randolf “Snow Day”

Ho, ho, ho, waiting for the first blizzard of the season. Washington DC based Vegas With Randolf sings about the only thing that’ll make kids glad about missing school and sledding down the hill. | CD Baby

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Justin Kline “Once A Year”

With a Beatlesque hook and timed beat of sleigh bells, it makes this holiday gem from Justin Kline irresistible – love the “do do do” chorus. Plus all proceeds will benefit TOYS FOR TOTS. | CD Baby | Bandcamp

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Lannie Flowers “Christmas Without You”

Perfect Texas styled power pop with the lovelorn Lannie Flowers in a mid tempo tune destined to be a classic for lonely hearts everywhere. | CD Baby

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The Connection “Rock N Roll Christmas”

Solid melodic joyful tiding from New England’s Newst Hit Makers. You get the single “Rock N Roll Christmas” and the B-side “Merry Christmas (I don’t want to fight tonight)” Both are a sweet combo of The Ramones and The Kinks.
FREE download on Bandcamp

The Mockers and Willow

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The Mockers “Men of La Mancha” EP
Power pop veterans The Mockers have been dripping out singles all year, but finally we get a nice group together in one EP. A cover of “Impossible Dream” from the Broadway show Man of La Mancha, it starts off traditionally… then speeds off into Mockersville. The Spanish pop gem “Que Vida” sounds like it fell off the Los Imposibles album. And the liberal dream single “Republican Girl” is a bona fide viral hit. Add to this two new holiday songs and you have all killer, no filler — one of the best EPs this year. Highly recommended!

Bandcamp | CD Baby (Christmas singles only)

Willow “Charcoal & Blue”
Once again we follow guitarist Mike Barnett to his new project. Willow is a collaboration between Barnett, Jerry Risner (bass) and Denise Risner (vocals, keyboards). The trio leans on Denise’s jazzy vocal and Barnett’s jangle styled guitar playing. Opening with “Nobody Does It Like You” its a Dylanesque gem, and I enjoyed the soulful lyric and Byrdsian riffs on “Good Love Is Hard To Find” and “Counting On You.” Unfortunately weariness on some of the vocals is evident, and some songs lack energy. Fans of both Dylan and Steve Forbert may appreciate it more than I did.

CD Baby | Amazon

Sunday Sun and Fernando Perdomo

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Sunday Sun “DAY” EP
The Amsterdam band Sunday Sun comes out with it’s second EP. “DAY” once again highlights those gorgeous harmonies on “Ordinary Love” and “Now Is Now.” The sweep of the compositions are grander than the first EP, for example “Summer Holiday” has a fast guitar rhythm with handclaps building layer upon layer of drums and vocals. The slow ballad “You” tones things down quite a bit, but the band roars back with “Take A Left,” a 70’s inspired funk-rock song. Fans of Sonic Executive Sessions and The Beach Boys need look no further, and combined the 2 eps make a top ten LP in my opinion. And a free one for the next 2 weeks! No excuses, just get it.

Free on Bandcamp for 2 weeks only!

Fernando Perdomo “Home Is Wherever You Are” EP
Mr. Perdomo ( Dreaming In Stereo ) is a strong singer/songwriter/producer and with a delicate piano and strum, Fernando brings us orchestral pop with sweeping strings on the opener “Home.” Its a nod to both Burt Bacharach and Nick Drake, expressing both beauty and sadness. The another great song “Smile” is a sweet affirmation similar in tone to the grandiose hit “We Are Young” by Fun. “Fill My Sky” is another winner and the love song “In A World Without You” is both moving and brief, with a catchy “do do do” coda. If you love chamber pop and a change of pace from guitar heavy rock, this will do the trick.

Itunes | Amazon