Working on several more reviews before my top 25 list comes out after the New Year. In the meantime here is the last of my holiday singles. Add them to your Yuletide mix!
Remember Longplayer? Well, Göran Hjertstedt (the lead from that band) has a new project that continues to draw its influence primarily from Electric Light Orchestra and Queen. The slow building “And Light Appeared” is a very majestic instrumental introduction full of pomp that demonstrates the rich orchestration. “Ride The Wind” is a compelling Wilbury-like track with a very sweet slide guitar over a steady strum. “Two to Tango” follows as a blues-influenced number about a love of dancing like Fred Astaire, and “All in The City” is a synth and percussion-heavy melody with all those great ELO stylistic touches.
At times music’s glossy bombast threaten to overwhelm those multi-tracked choruses but thankfully most of the songs are strong enough to let those melodies stick. “What Am I Gonna Do (Lunar City Heartache)” is an excellent mid-tempo power ballad, and the shimmering instrumental “Memory Lane” is a fitting end with its superb guitar solo that reminded me of Boston’s Tom Scholz. Overall a highly recommended album that demand’s repeat listens.
Amazon | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik
Kai Danzberg (he knows all the right people) teams up with the queen of power pop Lisa Mychols for this awesome single.
The Armchair Oracles, Norway’s best-kept secret has a new single out! The band is Atle Skogrand (vocals/guitar), Jan Ove Engeset (bass), Charlie Wise (drums) and Bjorn Gamlem (guitar) and they’ve played at IPO festival, so you know they’re good! Get it on CD Baby | Amazon
Karla Kane is our final treat, an autumn gem written in England by Martin Newell (Cleaners from Venus)and performed/arranged in California by Karla and her pals; KC Bowman, Khoi Huynh, Bradley Skaught and Gina Sperinde. The song is being released in conjunction with the autumn issue of Big Stir Magazine (in which Kane interviews both Newell and Robyn Hitchcock).
Get it at Amazon
Bob of The Pops! Vol.3 – Robyn Gibson (The Junipers) gets better with each group of covers he delivers. Love all this, and it’s a FREE download. Get it now!
Andy Reed gives us a slow ballad, and it’s his first solo work this year.
Jay Stansfield hasn’t had an LP ready in a long time, but this new single is a little like Jason Falkner.
Aussie Bryan Estepa delivers a very sweet power-pop tune. Can an album be far behind?
John Dunbar is back with his band The John Sally Ride and he offers some very sage advice. It’s a pep talk set to a catchy beat.