Nick Lowe keeps on rockin’! With the help of his reliable bandmates Los Straitjackets on every track, Nick showcases his impeccable songwriting skills over a wide range of musical styles. Indoor Safari proves that Nick Lowe is just as influential as he was when he first entered the music industry fifty years ago. Next, Candy Whips brings a fusion of new wave and pulsating synth-pop while John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) adds his synth melodies, so check out “Doing Shit, Trying Not To Be Sad.” Power pop queen Lisa Mychols has been very active on social media lately, with new recordings from The Masticators! coming up. Check out her demo of “PopSound.” Golden Richards has a great single about an old-school rapper, “Doctor K” trying to impress a girl. Finally, I wanted to shout out about the new re-issue of the dB’s Stands for deciBels a classic power pop album that was way ahead of its time. The remastered sound is just amazingly well done. Enjoy!
Category: Reissue Reviews
Even More June EPs and Singles: Walcot, Timmy Sean, Brian Jay Cline, Geoff Palmer, Mom, Ex-Norwegian, Big Star
While the band Walcot was formed in Chicago, they moved to Charlotte, NC. and released their debut Songs For the Disenfranchised. The catchy single “Dreamin’ Away” is joined by some equally good songs; “Another Man,” and the laid-back gem “It Feels Alright.” The songs are so skillfully done, I expect great things in the future for them. With the legend Paul McCartney hitting age 80 this month, our friend Timmy Sean covers the Wings classic faithfully. While it shares the same title as a Bond movie, Western rocker Brian Jay Cline always comes up with something uniquely good, and here it is with “Never Say Never.” Geoff Palmer (The Connection) dusted off his 2010 debut album, originally under the name “Geoff Useless” – fans will enjoy this one! The Brits known simply as Mom released a pair of singles, and I really like “Scary Mary,” and it’s a FREEBIE. Enjoy the tunes!
REISSUES OF THE MONTH
The debut album of Ex-Norwegian was re-mastered and re-released. If you missed my review, it was posted on Virgin.com before it was rudely deleted. But take my word for it… “a terrific album that delivers superior melodies along with adventurous arrangements,” check out “Something Unreal” to get a taste of this classic.
Did you know that Big Star is now on Bandcamp? Know your musical history, bro. This is one of the most influential rock bands ever and of course a seminal power-pop band.
The Gleaming Spires collection; a lost new wave discovery that deserves to be heard
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Odds, Ends, and Reissues: Nick Frater, Spiraling, The Orange Peels, Roger J. Manning Jr.
If you thought 2nd Grade’s songs were a bit too long, Nick Frater has the solution for the ADD music fan. 59 songs all under a minute! I have to admit, the first two hooked me right away, “Intro” and “Say It’s Alright” are stunning Beach Boys recreations. Not everything is that good, but some have little clues to the influence; like “Another Nod To Todd.” Irresistible!
Hard to believe it all started in 1997 for Allen Clapp. The Orange Peels “Square” is a timeless classic, that still sounds fresh today. This new re-issue is labeled “Square³” and it boasts 40 tracks with demos, bonuses, an alternate album… what else do you need? Get it on Amazon
During my last interview with Roger Joseph Manning Jr., he mentioned a re-release of his solo output was coming, and here it is. These albums have long been out of circulation and its good to have them back dutifully remastered by mixing engineer John Paterno under Manning’s supervision. This catalog threesome consists of 2006’s The Land Of Pure Imagination, 2008’s Catnip Dynamite, and his 2018 PledgeMusic EP, Glamping.
Visit rogerjosephmanningjrofficial.com to get these re-issues directly.
Reissues and Freebie Friday: The Pozers, Imp of Perverse, Zeus Springsteen
Reissues: The Pozers “Embrace Your Addiction”
With their 5th CD release, The trio known as The Pozers (Jim Richey, Kenny Swann, Jeff Hamm) serve up some brand new “addictions” for your listening pleasure.The albums overall theme is on memories (specifically 1987) and musical influences are straightforward; starting with “The Time and Place” it slowly morphs from harpsichord into a rich combination of guitars and Beatlesque harmonies. Then “Cindy See” is a very Fountains of Wayne styled gem to honor an obsession with supermodel Cindy Crawford.
Richey’s poignant fuzz guitar “Lucky Face” emphasizes “We get no guarantees (I guarantee that)” and the Beatles style is especially strong on “When Intellects Collide,” and then it changes slightly for the breezy gem “Sunshine (Smiling Face)” with some horns added to the raw vocals. Many songs densely packed, with sharp wit between each drum fill and chugging riff. The band’s arena rock indulgences come out toward the end, but this is still one of best Pozer’s albums out there.
Freebies!
Imp of Perverse is a Texas band with a mellow psyche-pop style full of sleepy low vocals. Check out “Misunderstanding.” A FREE download too.