Category: Power Pop Review

The Gleaming Spires collection; a lost new wave discovery that deserves to be heard

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The Gleaming Spires were a new wave band in the early 1980s that has an interesting history. It starts where Leslie Bohem, David Kendrick, and Bob Haag of the band Bates Motel get recruited by brothers Ron and Russell Mael to be a part of the 1981–85 incarnation of their band, Sparks. They made Sparks sound like a rock band again after years with an electronic disco sound. This was Sparks’ “most commercial” period where they finally broke into the US singles chart with “Cool Places.” Gleaming Spires was a side project that didn’t get as much attention at the time, and the band’s three studio albums were never reissued on CD, until now. Thanks to Omnivore Recordings, this new discovery can be absorbed properly.

The Gleaming Spires

“Songs Of The Spires” (1981)

Don’t let the staid cover art fool you, this is as close to the sound of Sparks you can get without the brothers Mael. The heavy synths, electronic drums, and arty guitar compositions would fit in well as a companion to Spark’s ‘Whomp That Sucker.’ The big hit from this album proved to be an unexpected B-side “Are You Ready for the Sex Girls?” which ended up on the Revenge of the Nerds soundtrack in 1984. Amazingly, it is the massive bonus tracks that are even better, featuring Bates Motel originals (produced by Andrew Gold) “The Way Marlena Moves” and “Dedication” as power-pop standouts! The punkier “Only The Young Die Young” is another winner. Like two albums from two different bands in one package. Get it on Amazon.

The Gleaming Spires

“Walk on Well Lighted Streets” (1983)

At this point, the band has a more distinctive new wave sound. And with better support in the studio (and additional players, like Jim Goodwin) the band further sets itself apart from Sparks, as it moves into more conventional music territory. Plenty of goodies here; “Mining” has a bit of Tears For Fears vibe, and the title track was similar to what Bowie was doing at the time rhythmically. “A Christian Girl’s Problem” was a controversial subject with killer hooks, and again the bonus tracks reveal some great stuff like the Oingo Boingo-like “Brain Button” and the power pop of “Christine” and “Does Your Mother Know.” Get it on Amazon.

The Gleaming Spires

“Welcoming a New Ice Age” (1985)

The “bigger” sound on the opener “Mercy,” follows similar bands in that era, like The Alarm and Big Country. Their label was faltering, so the boys decided to self-finance and with that, it allowed more experimentation with sounds and styles. The jangling guitar of “No One Coming Over” and country violin of “Secret Room” couldn’t be more different. The band still appeared on movie soundtracks; the big rock sound of “Here Comes Mr. Funhog” fits the chaotic teen movie, and the dissonant mess that is “Harm” feels like a David Kendrick’s jumping-off point to Devo. A mixed bag, but still interesting. Get it on Amazon.

The Lunar Laugh and Dana Countryman

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The Lunar Laugh

The Lunar Laugh “Nighthawks!”

Oklahoma duo Connon Anderson and Jared Lekites are The Lunar Laugh and they offer up a live concert album with a pair of studio tracks on Nighthawks! The band tends to cover the musical spectrum from power-pop to folk-rock, and country. Opening with the studio tracks “I Wanna Know” and the spawling “It’s Okay,” it showcases their smart melodies and stylistic range (especially on the latter.) From here the live concert begins. Starting with “On The Road” it’s an excellent song with palatable energy that draws the audience to clap along.

The solid performances of “Winsome” and “Living A Lie” soon expand to other tracks, like bass player Campbell Young’s “Alive,” Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man,” and Death Cab For Cutie’s “Soul Meets Body.” While these are well received, they don’t fit the band’s identity as well as a “Mama’s Boy” and “Old New Kid In Town.” With 18 songs it would’ve been a little better to get a few more studio tracks instead of covers, but nevertheless, this album is a pleasant diversion and deserves to be heard.

Big Stir Records | Amazon


Dana Countryman

Dana Countryman “Pop Scrapbook”

Once again the prolific Dana Countryman is back. The unapologetic “One-man Brill Building” delivers a knockout pop punch where his meticulous production details enhance everything he does. The terrific “Mrs. Sunshine” is a collaboration with Klaatu’s Terry Draper and Scott McPherson. It sounds like a lost track from classic ’70s Klaatu mixed with ELO and Queen; it’s simply great (we need a whole album of this!) But Dana is never stuck to a single style or genre, and the classic hook of “My Little Caroline” follows in the Neil Sedaka tradition.

The breezy light jazz-pop of “City Life” and the bossa nova “Sunday Comes Along” is an idyllic slice-of-life guaranteed to lighten your mood. Dana also isn’t afraid to take chances, as the mini-musical “Record Store Employees” is a medley of melodies all dedicated to crappy customer service. It’s another winner here, and “Brand New Feeling” is a country ditty with a really nasal vocal. The shmaltz level remains high on the other songs, but nothing here is cringe-worthy (although “Butterflies” comes close). So if you love retro pop get this – it’s highly recommended.

Amazon

More September Singles and EPs: The Amplifier Heads, Shake Some Action!, The Nobility, The Cheap Cassettes, Alex Dominish, Richard Turgeon, On The Runway, Meyverlin

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September isn’t over yet, and neither are the new singles and EPs from great power pop artists. The Amplifier Heads signed with Rum Bar Records and  Sal “Shag 72” Baglio (The Stompers & The Peppermint Kicks) rocks out with this new Glamtastic single “SaturmalienS”. It’s also so nice to hear Shake Some Action! again and “Break It Down” mixes psych-pop and jangling rhythms to perfection. Nashville’s The Nobility gives us “The Sweetest Sound” and it is indeed a great tune — let’s hear more of this! With the end of the season, The Cheap Cassettes make it official with the slow R&B rocker “Endless Summer Ends.”

A few EPs here are also worth a download; Richard Turgeon gets reflective with a series of Campfire Songs. The buzzing anthem of “Be Who You Really Want To Be” and “Line of Sight (Tahoe Song)” recall classic-era REM. Memphis-based On The Runway is a new band created by Randy Norris and John “Boz” Boswell (Crash into June) with help from Neilson Hubbard, and Will Kimbrough. The easy-going mood of “This Charade,” and “Stuck On You” lifts you up and sticks with you. Alex Dominish is the guitarist for the Showboat Branson Belle (Branson, Missouri) and he’s got a bouncy, poppy sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face; be it first romance (“Rockin’ Steady”) or first job (“Desk Job”). Finally, a video from the upcoming band Meyverlin is here. The LP is out next month, they have a distinct ’80s influence, fans of the Cure will like this one.








The Weeklings and The Toms

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The Weeklings

The Weeklings “In Their Own Write”

The Weeklings are one of the best Beatlesque power pop bands out there and after three great LPs, they decided to put together a “greatest hits” album. The spin on this is that The Weeklings started life as a live Beatles cover band, so why not record these songs live? Taken from 2 different shows, the band plays a robust setlist and their banter and audience interaction make you feel like you are there.

From the opener “Little Tease,” it’s got all the Beatle “easter eggs” that people enjoy and done with a verve and energy few can match. The new “April’s Fool” is a welcome addition to favorites like “Morning, Noon, Night,” “Little Elvis,” and “Don’t Know, Don’t Care.” Like most Weeklings albums, there are a few choice covers like “Baby You’re A Rich Man,” the Adam Schlesinger penned “That Thing You Do,” and a re-arranged rocking version of “The Word.” Highly Recommended (what else?)

Amazon

The Toms

The Toms “Tomplicated”

The Toms (Tom Marolda) has remained an active DIY power-pop force of nature since his debut in 1979. Last year brought us some “lost” songs from those 1979 sessions, but now he’s back with some new material. In a return to the techniques of his early Beatle-influenced recordings, Tom’s masterful use of contrasting sounds (like a deep bass chord over a light acoustic strum) on “Too Many Yesterdays” make a simple melody stand out. In addition,“Three” has a terrific bass groove, with a psych-pop wall-of-sound, and it’s an early highlight in the massive 16 track effort.

However, many tunes feel more like sound sketches and experiments that fell off the Magical Mystery Tour bus, like the title track “Tomplicated” and “You Shot Me Out Of Your Cannon.” Interesting yes, but when the song has a great hook it works even better. Added highlights include the excellent “Hang On” and the jaunty “Sunday Clothes” with cello flourishes that recall The Move. “Somewhere Over This Rainbow” is another gem, referencing The Wizard of Oz in its narrative and the optimistic jangle of “It Doesn’t Matter to Me” is a fitting finale. There are more than enough tracks to rate this one highly recommended.

Amazon

September Singles: Ward White, Kurt Baker, It’s Karma It’s Cool, Death Party Playground, Bryan Estepa, Mom, The Well Wishers

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With the fall comes a brand-new premiere single “Dirty Clouds” from LA crooner Ward White, from his upcoming album The Tender Age. The gentle chords give way to space-themed resignation assisted by a terrific guitar break. Kurt Baker is also back with a tight pop track that reminds me a bit of Rick Springfield, meanwhile, It’s Karma It’s Cool gives us a frantic vocal and crunchy punk guitar on “Coffee Cup Circles.” If you love that old-school ’70s rock then check out Death Party Playground, but if you crave a more singer-songwriter vibe, you can’t get much better than Bryan Estepa. Swedish band Mom gives us a nice freebie; a collection of covers and a highlight is Marshall Crenshaw’s “There She Goes Again.” Finally, Jeff Shelton (The Well Wishers) donates his guitar crunchiness to California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund for this sweet track, a worthy song for a worthy cause.