Category: Top Ten of 2014 Candidate

The Legal Matters “The Legal Matters”

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The Legal Matters have a pretty impressive pedigree. Consisting of Chris Richards (of Chris Richards and the Subtractions), Andy Reed (An American Underdog) and Keith Klingensmith (The Phenomenal Cats), they have made an album that easily makes my top-ten year end list.

Starting with “Rites of Spring” it shimmers with perfect vocal harmonies and smooth melody similar to The Wondermints. It is the kind of song that guitars were invented for, and will be going around your head for hours after you hear it. There is a subtle soft rock undercurrent to many of the tunes that may put off rockers who prefer a harder edge, but it actually works great here. It doesn’t let up with “Stubborn,” another great song with perfect riffs, and touches all around. “Have You Changed Your Mind” is a softer, mid-tempo track, fans of The Eagles and The Agony Aunts will appreciate.

The hits keep coming, “The Legend Of Walter Wright” is a supremely hummable tune with a sweet balance of harmonies and guitar crunchiness. Even when the band gets stylistically mellow for “So Long Sunny Days” it plays like a lost Beach Boys/Poco track. And just in time for summer, it grabs you and doesn’t let go.

Bandcamp | Pre-Order Direct

Phonograph and David Myhr

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Phonograph “Phonograph Vol 1”
UK based band is lead by guitarist/songwriter team of Paul Campbell and Terence O’Mahony. The opener “She Knows It” is a classic power pop structure, similar in style to Badfinger and Teenage Fanclub. One of my favorites here is  “Waiting For The Sun” with its minor chords and “la do da” chorus, and the Beatlesque “You Don’t Bring Me Down” is another catchy gem. And the “hits” keep coming.

The ballad “Losing My Nerve’ has echoes of John Lennon, and “California” has a driving guitar strum that’s perfect for the road. No filler either as each song earns repeat plays. Overall this band’s sound compares well with Taylor Locke and Cirrone and it deserves a spot in my year end top ten. Interesting fact: Some eagle-eyed readers noticed that the songs were created in 2001, but they are just released this year. Originally these songs were meant to be published on the band’s own label, Big Red Records. But after gaining the attention of some major labels, they put off the idea and started shopping for a big record deal. It fell through and the band broke up, leading to Paul and Terence to finally release the LP on Bandcamp.

Bandcamp

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David Myhr “Record Collection” EP
After 2012’s amazing Soundshine, David Myhr (Merrymakers) delivers a few sticky sweet treats with this EP.  Three of the songs also feature the work of Japanese power pop band Puffy AmiYumi. The title track was originally released on the Japanese edition of Soundshine, so it’s good to finally hear that powerful hook and bouncy chorus, perfect for chasing the blues away. “You Stole My Heart Away” was written specifically for Puffy with a sticky “ba ba ba” chorus and shifting key changes.

“Boom Boom Beat” is a pretty good guitar driven rocker, with the backing vocals it feels like a kids rock anthem. . The 10cc cover of “The Things We Do For Love” was David’s entry for the Drink A Toast To Innocence: A Tribute To Lite Rock  album. An Abbey Road version of “Never Mine” is included here as well, and overall a terrific EP without a wasted note, it’s super highly recommended!

Amazon | Itunes

Fauna Flora and The Feels

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Fauna Flora “Fauna Flora”
Fauna Flora is the new project of Steve Ward, formerly of Cherry Twister. Along with bassist Joe Pisapia, keyboardist Matt Thomas, and drummer Paul Murr, they formed the new band, and its a rich and vibrant gem. Recorded and produced at Ward’s barn studio in Marietta, Pennsylvania, it starts off quietly enough and then dives into the gorgeous “Happy Hour,” if Coldplay knew what it was doing it would sound this good. Ward has moved towards a grander chamber pop (so fans of Eric Matthews, please get this one).

The orchestral swoon of “The Arms of Winter” then gives way to the gentle “Belle Of Blue Road,” a roots-influenced ballad. “As The Story Goes” is a ghostly gem, echoing 10cc or Alan Parsons Project in spots, with Ward’s whispering vocals. Unlike Cherry Twister, the guitars aren’t the main focus, and the composition and songwriting are more important. In fact the entire album is a study in the simple and complex, from the bouncy “Sunday, AM” to the richly melodic “Head of Fern.” Its great to see this creative band spread its wings. Not a dud here and one of the best albums you’ll hear this year.

CD Baby | Amazon

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The Feels “Dead Skin”
New York based “The Feels” is a sweet pop revelation, sounding current with smart melodies, and a shredding guitar riff. It follows the tradition of The Click Five and Weezer. “Dumb or 21?” is a great intro that touches all the bases here. “Purple Heart” is a pensive melody, you expect a big chorus but it goes small instead, on “Maybe” it has a fast-paced guitar buzz closer to Green Day.

What makes this band above the average is lead singer Christian Stefos Migliorese formerly of Candy Hearts. He just has the chops to lead a melody hard or soft. “When Things Were Good” is a perfect stoner love song, with a simple strum and Christian’s impressive pipes. The poppier aspects of this short 8-track album remind me of Wyatt Funderburk or The Sonic Executive Sessions, each song is well composed, usually about love and leaving love. “She’s Gone Away” is another highlight among many, with some beautiful 3 part harmonies. Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp Only

Spirit Kid and The Tangerines

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Spirit Kid “Is Happening”
It’s been too long since I’ve heard Spirit Kid (aka Emeen Zarookian) and this new album is a joy to listen to. Heavily influenced by late ’60s bands and sounding a lot like Apples in Stereo’s Robert Schieder, the opener “Everything is Old” has an excellent chord structure and catchy baseline makes it pretty darn irresistible. A perfect mix of classic and modern sounds.

“Slow It Down” ironically picks up the tempo, with solid harmonies and frantic guitar shredding after the chorus. Then “Is This Heaven?” really shows us a longing ballad with jangle rhythm perfect for that slow dance at your senior prom. “Making Excuses” bookends pure Who from the “Who’s Next” era and then we get Dick Dale styled guitar accents on the catchy “Too Good For Winning.” The influences aren’t overdone, and each melody drives it home. Without a doubt, so far this is very high on my top ten list – an instant classic. After a long winter, I feel like spring has really arrived.

Amazon


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The Tangerines “Turn On The Light”
The third full length album from the Swedish power pop duo. “Turn On The Light” and “It’s Alight”  are a light jangle-filled confections, fans of Byrdsian strums will find hard to resist. The Tangerines have found their formula; a version of Spongetones-lite as Per’s vocal gently explains blissful satisfaction on the song “Once In A Lifetime.”

The Beatlesque bounce on “It’s A Girl’s Girl’s World” quickens the tempo and the story of “She’s So Fluffy” draws on the Ray Davies storytelling style and musical composition. The album goes through 16 tracks, most clocking in under 2 minutes. The only thing you could argue is that the sound can get a bit homogeneous, until you reach the faux-roots “Up The Country” and “All Through The Years” which mimics CSNY’s “Our House.” Otherwise this is a fine album, fans of mid 60’s pop will thoroughly enjoy.

CD Baby | Amazon

Tyson Leslie and Evil Arrows

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Tyson Leslie “Train Wrecks, Havoc & Heartbreak”
 Tyson Leslie has been a vibrant part of the Kansas City music scene for over twenty years, playing in various bands now steps out of the sideman role with his debut LP.

Leslie is a rarity, a guitar shredder who actually cares about melody. The Beach Boys used to sing simply about cars and girls, and on “Little Green Honda” he updates the formula and its a damn catchy single. “Crazy All Over You” is a semi-honkey tonk road song that displays Leslie talent for amazing licks. A smooth rock duet with Lyndsey Lou is next on “She Danced Under The Lights” and “Selective Amnesia” recalls Dave Edumnds and Rockpile.

Leslie also has amazing range, from catchy pop of “Suckerfish” to epic rock ballads like “Goodbye To The Rain.” More highlights include “Wasted Time” and the Beatlesque ender “The Last Words.” I couldn’t find any weak tracks, and with precise production values I have to add this to my top ten albums list this year. A real hidden gem.

Amazon | Bandcamp

 

Evil Arrows “2” EP
 As a follow up to January’s “1” EP Bryan Scary is back with an Evil Arrows sequel. Scary is a distinctive voice that is immediately accessible, a rich combination of glam rock and power pop.

“Gods of Light” is a mid-60’s Stones-style tune, but at the chorus it goes into a multi-tracked, dense production of “ba-ba-ba” vocals. “Last Living Doll” is a quick tempo gem lead by staccato guitar riffs and Bryan’s playful lyrics. “A New Age Holiday” has some inventive chord shifts and “Shadow Lovers” struts along like T.Rex and is the standout track on this “side”. Between the 2 EPs, you get one of the best albums this year.

Bandcamp only