Category: Major label releases

This is pretty much a straight forward Christmas album with Weezer’s own signature sound attached to all the traditional songs like “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and “O Holy Night”. I kind of expected some original holiday tunes with the standards, but sadly none were there. Rivers Cuomo and team Weezer do just about as good as the average Christian rock band with this material. So if you’re a Weezer fan, this is a nice present under the tree — and it mixes well with other groups holiday music just fine thank you. Personally, I’m tired of “Pork and Beans.”

Weezers Site | My Space

Here are some Amazon.com mini-reviews of current major label releases that I’ve been listening to in the past month (click on an album cover on the widget to the right if you’d like to hear it).

The Black Hollies “Casting Shadows”
Put on the black light and smoke the hookah to this album. The Black Hollies retro psychedelic rock fits well with your rainbow quartz groups. Obsessively recreated itchy twanging guitars, vocal reverb and harmonies like The Zombies. Like a lost 60’s psyche classic.

P.J. O’Connell “Careful”
Fans of Tom Petty styled power pop will love this. Mixing Rockpile-like twang and muscle riffs with the country steel petal and piano touches it’s an excellent album. Don’t let this one fly under your radar. O’Connell writes great songs and even his voice sounds like Pettys mixed with Paul Westerberg. Not a single bad track either.

R.E.M. “Accelerate”
Not since “Monster” have we had this aggressive Michael Stipe. I guess this is the backlash of keyboard-heavy, adult-contemporary music of “Around The Sun.” This is a return to form for sure, the music is played with great gusto and other than the ballad “Until the Day is Done” you’ve got a great bunch of catchy rock here. And they don’t pander to today’s trends (unlike “Monster”) and play classic R.E.M. – my favorite track here is “Mr. Richards”

Ray Davies “Working Man’s Cafe”
The master songwriter at his usual best. Ray produces a great album with his unique perspective on  things. Globalization is his target on the catchy “Vietnam Cowboys” but the best song here is his answer to his worshipping fans in “You’re Asking Me” (“Don’t take my advice… Get a life”). Also of note, the rockin’ riffs on  “Hymn For A New Age” where he takes on religion.

Robyn “Robyn”
Not something I normally listen to, but the buzz on Robyn is loud and deserved. This hip hop pop queen is the heir apparent to Gwen Steffani. Listen to “Bum Like You” and try not to move, I dare you. This is where Janet Jackson should’ve gone by now.

Ron Sexsmith “Exit Strategy Of The Soul”
Sexsmith has such talent, that even this uplifting sermon will squarely inspire pop fans. Rooted in the sounds of  Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, Paul Simon, from jazz to country to folk, this is his finest album since “Retriever.” Using more horns and piano than usual, listen to “One Last Round” for a good representation.

She & Him “Volume One”
Who knew cute actress Zooey Deschanel had these pipes? One ups Scarlett Johansson, by pairing with M.Ward and emulating those great pop icons with a great selection of songs. If you miss classic Linda Ronstadt and Rita Coolidge soft rock, don’t miss this loving tribute. Notable is the Dusty Springfield-like single “Why Do You Let Me stay Here?”

A look at Brian Wilson’s new release, “That Lucky Old Sun” this promo looks like a solid effort and the video has guest spots from the usual legion of followers, The Wondermints, Jeffery Foskett, and others.

Rather than sell my old CDs, I have removed that widget and added a widget for Amazon.com of current major label releases that I’ve been listening to in the past month (click on an album cover if you’d like to hear it). It will be updated monthly, so here are the mini-reviews:

Rivers Cuomo “Alone: The Home Recordings Of Rivers Cuomo”
Pretty much a lot of rough Weezer material for fans only. “Lemonade” sounds like it would’ve been a fine song if developed further. A few unpolished gems here like the neat riffs of “Lover in The Snow” and “I Was Made for You” – the rest is half-songs and filler. For completists only.

Dennis Wilson “Pacific Ocean Blue & Bambu”
Like “Smile,” Dennis Wilson’s solo Beach Boy albums have attained mythic proportions at this point. The songs have the soul of the Beach Boy and the vocal delivery similar to Joe Cocker. “Pacific Ocean Blue” is an under rated masterwork here with the spiritual “River Song” and the gin-soaked ballad “Moonshine” (joined by brother Carl). The remastering here is rich, if a bit overproduced, but gems like “Tug of Love” shine through.

Ruby Suns “Sea Lion”
The Ruby Suns shed the Beach Boy-isms of the first album for this follow up. The Spanish styled “Oh, Mojave” and “Tane Mahuta” belong on an old Hawaiian travelogue, but then the dreamy psyche pop of “There Are Birds” lead you on a mesmerizing journey. Blissfully mellow experimental indie pop at it’s finest. Perfect summer beach music.

Amiee Mann “Smilers”
A little laid back collection of songs for the first lady of power pop. The brilliance of her songwriting shows through in “Stranger Into Starman” and “Looking for Nothring.” I consider Aimee the Carole King of our era, with piano and strings tugs at your heart. Unfortunately, no uptempo songs here make the album suffer a little.

Coldplay “Viva La Vida”
What happened to Chris Martin and Coldplay? If you loved “A Rush of Blood to the Head” then stay away from this one. This same indulgences that ruined Radiohead for me has leached onto this band. Long epic chords and guitar strums either work well (“Yes”) or not at all(“Chinese Sleep Chant”). Some may disagree here, but I feel this is an indulgent mess.

The Dodos “The Visiter”
Blending bits of folk, pop and tribal music rhythms, this indie band does a good job mixing the songs melodies and beats. Imagine if Paul Simon’s “Rhythm of The Saints” were redone by an Elephant Collective pop group. Highly imaginative and an addicting listen.

More indie power pop reviews coming!