Category: Top Ten of 2010 Candidate

Washington D.C. musician Edward O’Connell has produced a polished gem of a debut on “Our Little Secret.” O’Connell is very much a power popper in the  Richard X. Heyman mold. His sound builds on influences from Nick Lowe, Tom Petty, and Elvis Costello. Starting with “Ace Of Diamonds,” it’s got that vibrant strum to warm the soul and a Wilbury-like hook in the chorus, it’s a real winner of a single. “I Heard It Go” is a wry observational song that follows with similar rhythm and creative guitar lead during the break.

The rooty jangle opens on completely awesome “Partially Awesome” and “Happy Black” is a slow shuffle with Edward’s vocals at it’s most Costello-esque. The charging “With This Ring” is layered with great guitar solos and a driving beat that brings to mind Dave Edmunds. “Pretty Wasted” is a great example of brilliant songwriting and Jill Read’s backing vocals in the chorus just emphasize the love story. The tempo slows down and the subject matter gets a bit heavier on the album’s second half, as “I Need All The Friends That I Can Get” is an ambitious ballad and the slow country flavored “We Will Bury You” is a moving observation at a funeral. The quality and craftsmanship of this album is impeccable and with no filler to be found. It makes the top ten list for sure so don’t miss it!

Edward O’Connell’s site | CD Baby | Amazon

Dublin native Duncan Maitland is joined by an all-star guest line-up on his smashing debut Lullabies for The 21st Century. Colin Moulding from XTC plays bass on the opening track, and also helping out are Fran King, Barry O’Brien, Keith Farrell and Tosh Flood (Pugwash). Recorded at his in-home studio, the album draws influences from many favorites. Starting with the richly melodic “Your Century” it has glowing background harmonies and driving bass line.  Followed by the flowing narrative of “Terry The Toad” it adds a great hook in the chorus, and “Crash Position” is a perfect example of modern Beach Boys pop, similar to Rick Gallego (Cloud Eleven).  These songs are not simple ear candy, but complex pop symphonies that don’t rely on a straight formulaic approach. Every song on the album is a meticulous study in pop smarts from the Beatlesque touches of “Alien At Home” and “Horror Stories” to the wistful atmosphere of “Supermarket Dream.”

Not every chorus here sticks in your head, but each track is stuffed with details that demand repeat listens. Most tracks come close to the four minute mark or longer, and the last song “Insect Under The Stone” at 5:31 is a Nilsson-like epic that’s just fascinating. The legacy of XTC will always be safe as a Duncan joins the stellar group of bands that take the similar musical approach (Pugwash, Jackdaw4, Paul Steel). Overall a serious pop gem that can’t be ignored and deserves to be on the top ten list for this year.

My Space | CD Baby

The always reliable Stephen Butler and crew known as Smash Palace returns with a vengeance on “7.” From the Revolver styled cover to the opening riffs of classic power pop of “Win It All” you know what you’re getting. The melodic “How Can You Say?”echoes the past without sounding at all dated. The brilliant “Holding Out For You” has the measured beats and harmonies that resembles a Badfinger ballad. The descending chords of “All In Love Is Fair” leads a great Crowded House-Beatles hybrid track that builds and builds with cool guitar breaks between each chorus.

The vibrant energy of “Here it Comes Again” is another winning track, Butler’s vocal croon is similar to Tom Petty mixed with Joey Molland here. The Kinks-like riffs punctuate “Dead End Street”- it sounds utterly modern yet timeless. It’s an invigorating rocker that is a pleasantly balanced by the mid-tempo “Secret Life.” Every track shines, with no weak moments here, so you are getting the band at the peak of it’s powers. A easy nominee for top ten of 2010.

My Space  | Kool Kat Musik | Not Lame | Amazon

The Dahlmanns “s/t” EP
Made up of the husband/wife team of Andre and Line Cecile Dahlmann, from Oslo, Norway. Dahlmann is no stranger to the punk rock scene, as he’s spent plenty of time with The Yum Yums, Vibeke and The Trashcan Darlings (with Marky Ramone). Opening with the loving tribute “Dancing With Joey Ramone” it faithfully follows the Ramones signature punk pop riffs and beats. “I Want You Around” is an original based on this formula, and it’s quiet effective. After this is a cover of Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road” (we featured the original video a few days ago). The bouncy “Didn’t Tell The Man” has a wicked guitar solo at the break in between verses and that’s it. Overall a fun little EP to add to your collection, and I have heard a full length album is on it’s way by the end of the year.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

The Len Price 3 “Pictures”
Picture perfect garage power pop that wears it’s classic influences like a thick coat of paint.  The Len Price 3 always produced great music, but here the spirited jamming takes on tightness and authenticity not heard in your average retro-power pop band. Signed by ‘Little’ Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool label, “Pictures” is lead by big booming beats, Rickenbacker riffs and singer/guitarist Glenn Page’s solid compositions. “Keep Your Eyes On Me” is just one of many great songs here, with snappy hooks and soaring choruses all delivered with speed and earnest excitement. “I Don’t Believe You” and “The Girl Who Became A Machine” both have trappings of the mid 60’s favored by The Who, The Small Faces and The Kinks. The Davies-styled “Mr. Grey” is another classic working class drama full of cockney and trumpet flourishes (He likely lives next door to “Mr. Pleasant”). The punchy “You Tell Lies” are nearly a pop throwback to The Romantics and The Jam, with it’s relentless aggressive beat. Thankfully a slower paced song arrives at the albums end, as “Jack In The Greens” has that pastoral melancholy similar to Davies “Sunny Afternoon.” The album finishes at nearly 30 minutes with not a whiff of filler, it begs for repeat listens. Another top ten contender for 2010.

MySpace | Amazon

Those musical brothers Kurt and Rick Reil are at it again, after revisiting and remastering the debut album and the last studio release “Giant On The Beach,” the band produced this massive double CD set stocked with great power pop and pysche pop gems. Joined once again by Kristin Pinell (guitar) and Michael Kelly (bass) the band devoted one disc to Kurt’s songwriting and the other to Rick’s compositions.

The band’s opening tunes are a culmination of influences, and they are no longer pinned down by one type of sound any longer. “Speed Of Life” is a joyous sonic celebration of rock and things are more akin to classic Yes than The Byrds (although that 12 string sound is still there). The heavier meaty rock of “Don’t You Believe It” is right along with the Who or Golden Earing playbook. The bands smooth harmonies on “Be Here Now” never sounded better and Kurt’s acoustic skills shine on “Sun Shower.” The Beatlesque “Twister” is a another catchy gem you shouldn’t miss.

It’s tough to sustain a listeners interest through one disc, but the band succeeds in doing this with disc 2. Rick’s opener “Coming and Going” is more mid-tempo and his songs have more of a psychedelic flavor. A great cover of Todd Rundgren’s “Hello It’s Me” is followed by the energetic “Truth Is (Hard To Take).” Another perfect psyche pop melody is on “Used To Play” with it’s multilayered harmonies in the chorus. The instrumental fills are very short and support each disc nicely, without any throw away songs. Throughout the entire album you will hear bits of Fleetwood Mac, Love, Cream and Todd in spots. In short, they have evolved and this album should be savored like a fine wine. Yes, five years is a long wait — but boy was it worth it. My last interview with the band was while they were building this work of art. It gets a top ten album nomination for 2010, easily. Best of all you can get eight songs from this great album FREE right here.

My Space | Gripweeds.com | Amazon | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik