Category: Noteworthy Re-issues

Remasters and Rarities: Jim Basnight, Bill Lloyd and The Keys

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Jim Basnight

Jim Basnight “Pop Top” (Remastered)

“Pop Top” was Jim Basnight’s first solo album, originally a cassette-only release in 1992, and his first CD album release in 1993.  The tracks came together while he was on tour with the Moberlys, and working with a variety of collaborators (including REM’s Peter Buck) deliver fine examples of the late ’80s and early ’90s pop-rock. “My Vision of You” is an effective jangling tune, with emotional verses and a solid chorus. “Asphalt Field” is a narrative pop-rock song that reminds me a bit of Midnight Oil, and the rollicking “Opportunity Knocks” has a wicked piano blues riff similar to The Rolling Stones, and it’s really catchy. With 18 tracks, this compilation hits a lot of different moods and styles.

Jim works his magic on most of these tracks; notables include “Blue Moon Heart,” “One Night Away,” “Hello Mary Jane,” “Evil Touch,” and “Restless Night.” Overall plenty of worthy tracks makes this highly recommended LP. This has never been released digitally for downloads or streams and has been long out of print, until now. Check it out!

Bandcamp


Bill Lloyd

Bill Lloyd “Feeling The Elephant” (Remastered)

Between 1983 and 1986 before he joined the country duo Foster and Lloyd, Bill Lloyd put together a series of power pop songs in the tradition of Dwight Twilley and released it as Feeling The Elephant in 1987. It was reissued in 1990, where it found its audience — but power pop fans can really appreciate the music with this newly remastered version of the album. The chiming guitars of the opener “This Very Second” are bright and hook-filled, and the Big Star-like crunch of “Nothing Comes Close” is timeless perfection. The big single here “Lisa Anne” is very much in the mold of Marshall Crenshaw and the jangling “It’ll Never Get Better Than This” is another gem here.

A few songs actually are dated by the period but still, sound fantastic like “I Wann Sit And Watch The Credits Roll” and the hard rock “All At Once You Are Unzipped.” Overall not a wasted note here and it holds up extremely well. If you ever wanted to find a place to start the deep dive into Bill Lloyd’s power pop this is the place. It should be an essential part of your music collection.

Amazon


The Keys

The Keys “Unlocked”

There are several “lost” power pop treasures of the 1980s, but The Keys are of particular importance. In the wake of the punk revolution in the UK, The Keys first album from 1981 is the definition of “a lost classic” of the power pop genre. Similar in approach to Elvis Costello and The Beat, the band was signed by A&M Records, and produced by upcoming star Joe Jackson, but despite the critical acclaim it only sold a few thousand copies, and it remains a find for rare record collectors and was never reissued on CD. The band dissolved in 1983 without a follow-up to the debut.

But in the year prior to the breakup, The Keys made some recordings in London between 1981 and 1983. These 12 tracks are now unearthed today and fit in perfectly with their first LP. The band has a slightly more muscular sound with “Crying Out For Love” and “Don’t Do That.” The recordings aren’t that high quality, but the talent remains impressive. Unlocked is a release of Rollin Records, but there seems to be only limited distribution, and I can’t find a place in the USA that has it. So just like the debut, it’s another mad dash to find it. But if you do it’s a worthy companion.

Rollin Records UK | Discogs

The Fast Camels, Ken Sharp and Baby Scream

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The Fast Camels

The Fast Camels “Full of Strange”

The Glasgow UK five-piece band, rooted in late ’60s psychedelic sounds recalls Mod-era Who, Jefferson Airplane, Love and Pink Floyd. The opener “Blissful Serenity” chugs along with its slowly building jangle rhythm, overflowing with reverb and a touch of backward guitar. It slows down to a simple acoustic guitar on “Caught In A Dream” which brings to mind The Moody Blue’s Justin Heyward and the harmonies are strong on the flowing “Storyteller.”

The band sounds tighter overall, and the songwriting has improved from previous efforts. The acidic lyrics of “The Wedding” tell a wicked tale of a cheating bride during the reception and atmospheric guitar work is excellent. The follow up “Sordid Dreams” showcase the dark vision of how “she messed up my mind.” Another highlight is the loopy “Family Tree,” with sounds like Syd Barrett’s version of a circus. The quite ballads work well as a contrast between the more sonically vibrant songs. “Honeymoon” is my favorite here, with a power-pop riff that carries the tune along with its pounding beat. Overall a great psyche-pop album, highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik


Ken Sharp

Ken Sharp “1301 Highland Avenue” (Reissue)

Ken Sharp has gone back to his debut album from 1994 and added more than a fresh coat of paint to a classic that’s been a Japanese out-of-print LP for almost 25 years. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of “1301 Highland Avenue,” he has remastered each track and added new sonic arrangements. 

An excellent example of power pop sounds better than ever, he opens with the wistful memory of the session on the brand new title track. You hear the influences right away, primarily The Beatles, Rubinoos and The Raspberries. Each track loaded with hooks – I don’t want to call out a single track (they are all good) and fans of 90’s power-pop should pick this up without hesitation. Trust me, you’ll love it. Highly Recommended!

Amazon

Baby Scream

Baby Scream “Just Covers”

Juan Pablo Mazzola (Baby Scream) had made several cover tunes between album projects and decided to share it with us. A few bands I wasn’t too familiar and that helped somewhat. Mazzola has a unique vocal that’s part John Lennon and part Tom Waits and it fits nicely with Aaron Neville’s “Tell It Like It Is” and Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon.” Other tracks are good, like “Secret Agent Man” and the understated Psychedelic Furs classic “Love My Way.” Deconstructing other songs to minimal synths like on 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love” and Sepultura(!)’s “Roots Bloody Roots” makes them nearly unrecognizable. However, you may want to check these covers out.

Bandcamp only

Reissues: The Posies and Fastball

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Some of the greatest power pop ever was produced in the 1990’s. Omnivore has recently released expanded editions of these classics. 

The Posies Dear 23

The Posies “Dear 23” Expanded Edition

The major label debut from The Posies became an instant classic and put The Posies on the map. Like a modern-day version of The Hollies, the ambitious duo took notes from their Merseybeat forefathers and combined it with a Big Star-like attention to detail wrapped up in a baroque pop package. Remastered from the original analog masters; one CD containing the original album, plus enough bonus material to fill out the rest of the CD; and an additional CD of demos and other bonus material. Nearly all of the bonus tracks on this new reissues have never been heard before!

Omnivore Direct | Amazon

The Posies Frosting On The Beater

The Posies “Frosting On The Beater” Expanded Edition

In the early ’90s, the Seattle grunge movement took over the nation’s airwaves, pushing other genres aside. The Posies answer to this was to add their trademark melodies and smart lyrics to all the current angst. The wall of distorted guitars and thick drum beats is a direct contrast to Dear 23, but the songwriting got even better and remains the band’s highwater mark. Similar remastering set up; one CD containing the original album, plus enough bonus material to fill out the rest of the CD; and an additional CD of demos and other bonus material.

Omnivore Direct | Amazon

Fastball “All The Pain Money Can Buy” 20th Anniversary Edition

Fastball gave us an excellent example of when power pop and the nation’s musical zeitgeist intersected. The #1 hit “The Way” exploded on the radio, propelling All The Pain Money Can Buy to Gold status in only three months and Platinum another three months later. The release also received two Grammy® nominations, and the band won four Austin Chronicle awards for the album. This remastered 20th-anniversary edition contains the original 13 songs, plus 9 bonus tracks including rare B-sides, compilation tracks, and 4 previously unissued demos.

Omnivore Direct | Amazon

Deluxe Editions and Kickstarter News update!

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One of our recommended go-to power pop artists is Chris Richards & The Subtractions. In addition to this year’s Peaks & Valleys – the band has added new and updated deluxe editions of three earlier LPs. Loaded with demos and alternate takes, check it out:




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Paul Melancon, a critical-darling indie-pop rocker from Atlanta, GA is debuting “Hyperventilate” along with a very Scooby-Doo/Archies like animated video from his forthcoming album. Melancon’s first new music in 13 years tells the story of his struggle with depression.

“Anyone can relate to this feeling of being completely trapped by ongoing discouragement. When under the thumb of depression, my discouragement verged on hopelessness that I couldn’t shake, but couldn’t give into,” Melancon said. “In Hyperventilate, I try to capture that dual sense of both feeling like I’ll have to give up and needing not to give up no matter what.”

Order the album through Kickstarter and help spread the word!

Chris Lund, Rich McCulley and The Spinto Band

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Chris Lund

Chris Lund “Great Event Syndrome”

Chris Lund is best known for his work with Lund Bros, who have an impressive discography of excellent guitar-oriented rock, so it’s no surprise that Great Event Syndrome boasts all the right influences. Although a DIY record was done in his home studio, it sounds amazing due to Lund’s attention to detail.”Tell Me” is a very Cheap Trick-styled opener with its thick guitar hooks and overlapping solos. “The Path” is loaded with musical ideas and almost prog styled, anchored by the acoustic strum and “Glimpse” is a solid Badfinger styled rocker with a jangling chorus and sizzling solo. But the golden nugget here is “700 Miles,” a perfect amalgam of Beatles/Big Star sound, and one of the best songs of the year IMHO.

Chris packs a lot into each song, so repeat listens are required to fully appreciate the juxtaposition of chords, solos, and harmonies. The next several tracks all have great moments, especially “Remember The Daze” with its reminiscing chorus and terrific solo break. Other standouts include “What’s Her Name,” the Led Zeppelin-like folk song “The Juice” and dense pop closer “Fare Well.” Overall, a great power pop album that is highly recommended.

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Rich McCulley

Rich McCulley “Out Along The Edges”

Roots rocker Rich McCulley is still finding new inspiration as he writes of both love and loss, good and not so good, hard and better times. With his distinctive gravelly voice, he opens with the emotional “Hey Trouble” about the “broken ties that bind” and the fine guitar melody of “Eventually” really grows on you.

The strong “Burn A Hole In The Sky” recalls Tom Petty with its defiant attitude. McCulley leaves his Americana style and tries blues-pop on “Pilot,” jangle pop on “Sinking Sun” and the brilliant look back at NYC “Midtown” and wondering where all the record stores are. Another satisfying album that deserves to be heard. 

CD Baby | Amazon

The Spinto Band

Re-issue Spotlight:
 The Spinto Band “Nice and Nicely Done”

Wilmington, Delaware’s The Spinto Band is possibly planning a comeback, but in the meanwhile it has re-issued 2006’s Nice and Nicely Done, chock full of B-sides and rare tracks. Their geeky pop sound has been influenced by The Talking Heads, and fans of Field Music, They Might Be Giants and Neural Milk Hotel will enjoy the quirky energy.

Vocalist Nick Krill does have a David Byrne-like vocal he uses to great effect on the mandolin heavy “Oh Mandy.” A lot of highlights, including “Crack the Whip,” “Direct to Helmet” and Pavement-like “Trust Vs. Mistrust.” If you missed it back then, I would revisit it now as it has aged very well. Highly Recommended.

Amazon