Category: Top Ten of 2010 Candidate

Multi-instrumentalist Emeen Zarookian (aka Spirit Kid) is a real find, an artist with a flair for hook-filled melodies with energy and pop genius. Very much in the Elephant Six mold, his style fits right alongside classic Apples in Stereo and Olivia Tremor Control with it’s twee vocal elements and solid indie production. Opening up with the “You Lit Up For Me”, it rushes along like warm breeze and comes to a slow wind down. The sound of classic Beach Boys, Beatles, and The Kinks are easy to spot influences that float through the entire album. Each song has compact little arrangements, like “My Imagination” is pure pop ear candy full of multiple harmonies and “la la” choruses and shifting minor chords aplenty. The uplifting “The World Doesn’t Stop” is another lovely gem, with bass/lead guitar interplay and intoxicating builds. “Flytrap” adds some 70’s funk bass and Santana styled guitar rhythm. The very Lennon/McCarnety styled diversions (“Wait A Minute” and “Your Friend Too”) have a more pysche-pop spacey flavor that suit the album cover. Every song requires multiple listens to appreciate all that intricacy and there is no wasted ideas here either. This is the little album that could, so give a chance and you won’t regret it.

My Space | Emusic | Amazon

Listen to “You Lit Me Up” as part of a “Weeds” promo. Awesome!!!

L.A. natives Taylor Locke (of Rooney) and Charlotte Froom (of The Like) have united with Chris Price and Mikey McCormack (of Everybody Else) to form Taylor Locke & the Roughs. With a combination of experience and talent you get an excellent disc that rocks with a classic flavor and modern style on the opener “Start Me Over.” Like a mix of Kings of Leon and Rooney with a  bit of Badfinger thrown in, this is a true “supergroup” that knows what it’s doing. “Jennifer In High Heels” is a classic rock tune with muscular rhythms, cowbell, and guitar that struts through the melody.  The album starts pretty strong and glides into greatness as it continues. The frantic “Reach For The Sky” jumps everywhere with Queen-like choruses, manic Moon-like drum passages, and Locke’s  incredible vocal energy.”Hourglass” and “Joy” delivers sparkling harmonies similar to Bleu, Jellyfish and ELO pop perfection. “Amnesia” is another catchy gem that echoes both Paul McCartney and Eric Carmen.  The 70’s West Coast rock influences are strong, but they do not overwhelm this band’s unique sound. “I’ll Be Gone” has soft harmonies and bluesy harmonica, “Weekend Warrior” is an irresistible Dave Edmunds styled romp that will get your body moving to beat. “What Have I Done” is a power ballad that shows a winning passion in the songwriting. “Stay Awhile” is a Posies/Weezer hybrid that ends off a perfect album. Once I heard this I kept it in my disc player for the past few days, and I see no reason to remove it as it hits the melodic ball out of the park. This is a brilliant debut album that shouldn’t be missed – Hell, it’s so far my pick for best of 2010.

MySpace | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon

Ryan Maynes (aka Schmedly) and his merry band mates have returned to build on the astounding success of their previous album. Truly filled to the brim with unabashed worship of Electric Light Orchestra, Jellyfish, and The Beach Boys it’s like listening to bright sunshine. Opening with the harmonic treats on “Tangerine” complete with ELO-styled guitar goodness it transitions to the “Pet Sounds” sing-along  “I’m So In Love.” Hook after hook are poured into these songs and that’s what’s so impressive here – it’s perfect power pop. Fans of Harry Nilsson will flip for “New Skin” – it sounds exactly like him and bounces along with the same style that made The Point so wonderful.  The next few tracks (“Feels So Good” and “Riding The Shark”) are multi-layed with guitars, harmonies and unique instrumentations that compare well to Jellyfish albeit with Schmedly’s grizzled vocal approach. “Cows” uses the multi-tracked vocal style throughout and the mid tempo ballad “Miss Lonely” rounds out a perfect album half.  Schmedly’s vocals head fully into Bryan Adams territory with the dramatic “The Lie” and the remaining album tracks are very strong, but don’t shine as bright. The group vocals and melodies on “Chemical High” and “Just Might” recall mid-western rock bands like The Allman Brothers Band or Bob Segar a bit and the Elton John-like piano chord shifts round it out on “Nothing As Nice.” As a special offer from Kool Kat Musik, you get an additional disc of bonus tracks. This album easily makes my top ten this year, keep it coming guys!

My Space | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | CD Baby

Listen to a clip of “Tangerine”

The Tangerines “In Season”
Those missing Swedish power pop need not fear, The Tangerines have returned to lighten things up. Starting with “You’d Better Stop” it shimmers with jangley 12-string guitars and high harmonies that fans of Cloud Eleven, The Beatles, and The Byrds have come to love. The vintage pop compositions all hit the right sweet spots and the arrangements are gentle and welcoming. With 16 tracks you could run into jangle overload here, but each song is carefully constructed and Per Tolgraven and Håkan Eriksson take care not to repeat themselves. There are even echoes of The Hudson Brothers on the harmonic interplay with “New Sensation.”  The more aggressive songs resemble The Raspberries, beginning with the piano lead “Seeing Someone.” The chords and melody are what’s important here, highlights include “Hey Hey Michelle,” “Get Out,” and “The Beat Goes On.” Not everything is as memorable, but there are no weak songs here and the band’s clean production gives everything that extra polish. This CD shouldn’t be missed, and even though it came out last year (in Sweden) I will include it in my top ten for this year.

My Space | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik

The Easy Outs “s/t”
East Coast music veteran Bruce Ferguson (Captain Sensible, The Damned) have put together this debut with Bobby Kennedy (guitar), Bernie Branz (drums) and Gage Rowley (bass). The Easy Outs have mined the classic three chord rock sound that lends comparisons to Thin Lizzy, The Buzzocks and The Ramnones. Opening with the gritty “Little Miss Innocent,” it’s perfect rock and roll for a Saturday night. The old school punks throw a welcoming shout to today’s generation in “Emo Boy” along with the screaming guitar riffs.  Other tracks use the same forumla with varied degrees of success, but “I Ain’t Got Nothin’” and “I Walk Alone” stand out as the best of the bunch. “Sweet Revenge” has a catchy chorus and great riffs, but the harmonies here are a bit rough. Fans of old school power pop are also sure to dig this album, along with anyone who grew up with Kiss or Joan Jett on your turntable.

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The American Professionals “The Specialist”
This San Francisco band lead by singer/guitarist Chuck Lindo reunited with guitar player Mike Corcoran (The Ampros) in 2007, then hooked up with drummer Steve Moriarty (The Gits, St. Bushmills Choir) and Cheryl Hendrickson on bass to produce this sweet EP full of large loud guitar riffs that would make Cheap Trick fans proud. Unlike the last full length effort in 2004 “Faking It” this rocks a lot harder and faster. The title track balances the loud riffs and and gentle harmonies just right. Another great track “Jump This Train” is similar to the band IKE with a bouncy beat and fuzzy guitars leading the way. The remaining tracks are also just as catchy and will leave you craving for more. Hopefully a full length release is coming soon.

My Space | CD Baby

Four O’Clock Balloon “s/t”
Newly re-mastered, this 1997 classic album is being reissued by the Killer Music Group (with the promise of a new follow up album soon). This is unadulterated retro power pop in it’s purest form, pulling the techniques from the late sixties and wrapping it up in a sugary melodic package. The Four O’Clock Balloon album is chock full of bright catchy melodies, strong hooks, and brilliant musicianship. Carlos Santana bandmember Tommy Anthony (Guitar/Vocals), alongside John Allen (Guitars/Good Karma), Michael Quinn (Bass), and Omar Hernandez (Drums), have garnered rave reviews from heir first offering and have earned a cult following for this lost classic. The band first appeared on Yellow Pills, Volume 4 with the ELO-inspired “Stood In The Rain.” Added gems here are “So Wrong,” “Real,” and “Ripley.” Fans of The Move, Smithereens, Raspberries and Jellyfish will flip for this if you never heard of them before. It’s been out of print for a long time, so this re-issue is most welcome. So far I didn’t see any bonus tracks, but if If you would like a free track download, you can visit the Killer Music Group website. Any long time power pop fans who missed this when it was released, then you have no excuses anymore.

MySpace | Killer Music Group | Amazon (original)