Category: Top Ten of 2014 Candidate

The Alarms and The Lisa Mychols 3

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The Alarms

The Alarms “Real Tough Love”

The Alarms are a perfect example of modern power pop mixing the classic garage sound of The Seeds with the melodic shine of Oasis. We’ve heard from lead singer and guitarist Robert Gay before, but here the talent is exponentially multiplied across ten deeply impressive cuts.“The Axe” is a rousing start-off, like an American version of Supergrass its dense wall of guitars drives the track along with its echoing beat. “Break It Easy” is a marching ballad, with a driving bass and slow organ, very much like The Doors, but Robert’s vocal is what carries this one.

He does an even better job on “The Only One.” This a gorgeous ballad in the tradition of George Harrison, and it lingers long after it ends. The mood shifts on the nugget “May My Heart Be Cast Into Stone” originally done by The Toys in 1966. This is a great “lost” song that gets revealed by The Alarms chiming guitars and clean harmonies. Another gem “Avalon” is very much like a classic Zombies rock anthem, and then the garage rocker “Famous Kids” keeps the party going. The title track reminds me of The Godfathers, a combination of punk and 60’s psyche-pop. Robert honors the past, but is firmly rooted in the present. The Alarms have been going off in my head, telling me this is one LP that you can’t ignore.

Bandcamp | Itunes

The Lisa Mychols 3 “The Lisa Mychols 3” EP

Lisa was one of the highlights of Power Popaholic Fest and she played music from this EP as her set. “Getting rid of that old confusion,” Lisa intones on “Back To The Truth” with her bandmates Ricky Tubb (drums) and Tom Richards (guitar). There is no confusion on my part, Lisa wants to rock harder again. And that lead single is a great example, with its killer hook.

And she continues on “Ready For Action” and “The Fool” where a full force driving riff dominates those songs. The harmonies are still there, and Lisa’s lovely vocal is still the focal point for these songs, but Richards guitar is given much more weight and prominence than past Mychols projects. Fans should seek this out and I hope Lisa continues to amaze us with her new trio on future projects.

CD Baby | Amazon

 

Martin Carr and Cliff Hillis

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Martin Carr

Martin Carr “The Breaks”

Former Boo Radley frontman and songwriter Martin Carr returns to action with “The Breaks” a solo album about not fitting in and not getting what we want. Carr’s polished single “The Santa Fe Skyway” has orchestra flourishes and his bright British vocal is comparable on this side of the pond to someone like Allen Clapp (The Orange Peels).

“St. Peter In Chains” is a great narrative pop theme with a solid beat and hummable chorus, and “Mainstream” brings us a “poison lullaby” about no longer being an “alternative” musician. “Mountains” and “Sometimes It Pours” are both subtle studies of melodicism and personal observation. “Senseless Apprentice” has a great guitar and organ tandem, with a mid sixties styled shake (and a slice of John Lennon). Some great lyrical advice follows on “No Money In My Pocket” and comparisons to Ray Davies also work here. “My style seems borrowed” he crows on “Mandy Get Your Mello On,” but borrowed or not its one of the best tracks here. Highly Recommended.


Amazon

The Cherry Drops

Cliff Hillis “Song Machine”

He’s like the Energizer bunny of indie pop, going and going. Just when you think Cliff Hillis has reached a peak – he pulls this amazing EP out and impresses you all over again. Cliff has been very busy touring , and he’s released this fan-funded EP. And thank the Lord for that; this is a clear contender for the best EP of 2014. Like his last full length, he’s got a variety of styles here.

The pensive “Dashboard” leads to a soaring vocal in the chorus about listening to his favorite tunes on the road. George Harrison styled slide guitar starts off “Turn On A Dime,” a super catchy ear-worm that proves Hillis continues to write memorable hits. “Just One More” has a bit more laid back feel, about asserting yourself – complete with gentle horn flourishes. Next, “Hang On To The Moment” is another gem that reaches deep; this a perfect slow rock ballad to dance to. There is not a weak moment throughout the concise seven tracks here. Some of the songwriting reminds me of Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) where comfort can be found in the warmth of these melodies. The song “Could You Be The Enemy” even claims in the lyric “Satisfaction Guaranteed” and I would apply that to this EP. A rare treat that should not be missed.


Amazon | Tallboy Records

Rob Bonfiglio “Freeway”

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Rob Bonfiglio

On his third LP, the veteran musician (guitarist/songwriter/producer with multi-platinum pop act Wilson Philips; guitarist & co-conspirator for former RCA power-pop band Wanderlust) still knows how to create joyous power pop, like the opener “Lonely World” by contrasting the sweet chorus with the isolating lyrics “What is love, what is wealth, when you’re all by yourself?”

This effort has a more laid back California feel than previous albums, using more contemporary pop rhythms with rich melodies. “Almost Blue” is a smooth Eagles-like tune with some great slide work in the break. “I am Tomorrow” is another great song with a simple pop beat that builds into a complex tapestry of melody with sharp backing harmonies. “Beautiful” has a good mix of chord shifts and dramatic romantic lyrics. The pop craftsmanship here can’t be discounted, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Not that Rob has forgotten how to rock, “Best Plans Never Made” is an excellent rocker with a nod to Ringo and Paul, catchy swagger and the dense guitar outro.

The album goes through adult themes like hope, forgiveness and the frustrations of life and love. Bonfiglio’s pop sensibility is similar to Andrew Gold with the bouncy “Under The Gun” and the sunny “Golden State” with its sunny, deliberate tempo and some heavenly harmonies very reminiscent of Bob’s famous father-in-law. Overall a low pressure album that hits all the right notes, even with the slight instrumental “Prelude”and it makes my year end list for 2014.

Amazon | CD Baby

 

Jeff Larson and Smash Palace

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Jeff Larson “Close Circle”

Like an old friend visiting, Jeff Larson’s new album is another comforting pop tonic. Larson’s regular crew include Jeff Pevar (CPR, Crosby, Stills & Nash), Gerry Beckley & Dewey Bunnell (America) and Jeffrey Foskett (Beach Boys). The opener “Rescue” is a pensive plea about aging and hope, sung with an earnest and simple guitar strum. “Following The Echoes” is a bit closer to that Eagles/America light rock sound. The layered vocal chorus of “Every Hour On the Hour” is a real treat with added backing vocals from Jeddrah Leiterding.

My favorite song is “Rain Soaked Cloud,” about a broken relationship with a great instrumental break here by Jeff Pevar. Larson tends to get so mellow on “Even When The Rains Come” or “Goodbye Ocean Street Beaches” that I tend to drift off, but we pick up the pace with “How Long Running.” Often the love of people and places is the theme, like on “Arizona” and “The Lay Of The Land.” With his “close circle” of friends Jeff invites us into his comfort zone. And its a nice place to be.

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon


Smash Palace “Extended Play” EP

New Jersey natives Smash Palace are back with an EP  that’s a perfect summertime soundtrack, chock full of guitar themes and catchy hooks. It’s notable that along with the Butler brothers is Fran Smith Jr. (bass) and Dave Uosikkinen (drums). And this 5-song set stands alongside their best work.

We start out with “Isn’t It Just Like Me” a strong jangling rocker in the mold of Tom Petty, with the self loathing lyric “Isn’t it just like me to cause all this pain and misery.”  Next, “Walk Alone” is an aching reflection of a lost love, layered with so many wonderful Rickenbackers in the chorus — it’s just amazingly tight. Another highlight is “Hold On” with its steady beat and statement of faith, to “hold on to what you believe in.” Really each track is great here and its one of the best EPs of the year, you’ll want to listen to it “Again and Again.” Highly recommended (of course)!

Amazon

Linus of Hollywood “Something Good”

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Is is more that “Something Good” — this is something great. We’ve not heard from Linus since 2006 Triangle. And this was worth the wait starting with “Caught Up In A Feeling.” It hits the power pop sweet spot, with hand claps, driving beat and hummable chorus… simply a perfect opener. “Ready For Something Good” starts with a simple Caribbean rhythm, but it quickly builds into a fast-paced song bursting with optimism and a driving chorus, where “a better day is waiting for me.” Linus-land is all bright and shiny here, where you could hook up with “A Girl That I Like,” the anticipation and joy of young romance bounces along the melody line. Much like Wyatt Funderburk’s debut last year (He plays on the opening track!) it effortlessly transforms your mood. “Don’t F**k It Up” adds a bit more guitars and a layered “la la” backing chorus very similar to Squeeze, Linus even sounds like a younger Glen Tilbrook here. You get the sense that in the olden days of the almighty record label they would’ve “cleaned” this lyric, but it expresses the sentiment with genuine emotion.

“Biography” is a mid-tempo guitar song similar in style to Michael Carpenter. It confidently tells the girl that their time together was indelible and “no one will ever love you” as strongly. “Whoever’s Around” is another shimmering gem that has a slight country twang and steel pedal guitar solo with the dense production. The mood shifts to forlorn on “I Don’t Wanna Go Home If Your Not” and a cover of the Kiss ballad “Beth.” Linus has a snappy country-pop duet with Kelly Jones on “If You Don’t Love Me, You Gotta Let Me Go.” The elegant “When It’s Quiet” is another welcome change with strings and rising guitars in the chorus. Every single track here shines, and the variety of tempos, styles and instrumentation prevent this from being too predictable.

Finding a shining example of the genre with all the emotion, catchiness and studio gloss is extremely rare, making this one high atop my 2014 list for best album of the year.

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