Category: Top Ten of 2015 Candidate

Tommy Keene and Marshall Crenshaw

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Tommy Keene

Tommy Keene “Laugh In The Dark”

It seems doing an album of covers has awakened a spark from the guitar pop veteran and he sounds re-energized on his latest album Laugh In The Dark.  Starting out on “Out of My Mind” with its ringing guitars and catchy rhythm he delivers in spades. It fades into “Dear Heloise,” another brilliant jangling, post-Big Star power pop classic and the riffs have more muscle than a Gold’s Gym on “Last Of The Twilight Girls.”

Keene blends his vocal with the chords just right, even the mid-tempo “All The Lights Are Alive” showcases the solid melodic structure comparable to artists like Chris Stamey. Each track is a finely crafted gem; the title track has a descending bass line with its soothing guitar solo, as he chimes “Yesterday was a lark, now we’ll laugh in the dark.” I’ve only touched on half the album, but you get the drill here. Not a note of filler, and this stands as the best Keene album I’ve heard in years — makes my top ten of 2015 list and its a stellar example of guitar-focused power pop.

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Marshall Crenshaw

Marshall Crenshaw “#392: The Ep Collection”

This is a compilation of 6 vinyl EPs that Crenshaw released from 2012 to this year. Its a good equal mix of originals and cover tunes starting with “Grab the Next Train,” it shows Marshall still has a knack for memorable melody, with lyrics by friend Dan Bern. “Red Wine” is another gem with its jazzy guitar and accordion breaks. Then the smart composition “I Don’t See You Laughing Now,” is about a poetic comeuppance.

All the originals are all solid, where the covers are more of a mixed bag. Starting with The Move’s “No Time” penned by Jeff Lynne is an very inspired choice, less so is a competent but pedestrian version of “Close To You.” My favorites here is Bobby Fuller’s “Never To Be Forgotten” and overall this collection makes for some pleasant listening.

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Pop4 and Wade Jackson

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Pop4

Pop4 “Summer”

An amazing collaboration by a group of power pop superstars, the Pop4 brings together Andrea Perry, Scott McPherson (Liar’s Club), KC Bowman (Corner Laughers), and Kirk Adams (Vanilla). These artists clearly love the joys of 1970s pop and while the retro influences are present, it doesn’t feel like a gimmick because the music is well written and genuine. With 16 gems, this is a real treat.

Starting with “I Will Become Love,” a vocal choir followed by the pastoral “Beautiful,” led by Perry is very reminiscent of the late Karen Carpenter. “Blow Wind Blow” has a such groovy vibe I almost expected more cowbell here, and the sunny standout “Einstein and Sunshine” is clearly a nod to ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky.” Perry’s angelic “Don’t You Be Like That” and “I’m So Jealous” are very much in the ballpark with KC Bowman’s alter-ego band The Agony Aunts. “Jaded” is a clear homage to Harry Nilsson, while “Julianne Irish” is done in a whimsical vaudevillian style like Andy Partridge. I could keep going but you get it already. Its another nominee for best LP of 2015, if not one of the most fun albums ever. Summer is almost over, so pick it up from the band’s website.

Pop4 website

 

Wade Jackson

Wade Jackson “Whiskey Alpha Delta Echo”

Although heavily influenced by Americana and alt. country, Australian Wade Jackson’s first track “Dark Mirror” has more of a Byrdsian jangle and Californian mood. The modern “Valentine’s Day” has an echoing alt. pop style, but comparisons to Big Star really come out on  “Catch My Eye”, “Coming Back” and “Carolina.”  “Coming Back” is also very comparable to The Autumn Defense with a hypnotic chorus and solid harmonies. While the approach is consistent, it begins to get a little predictable after a while – however this is definitely an album that delivers quite a few favorites for my playlist.

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Ryan Hamilton “Hell Of A Day”

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Ryan Hamilton “Hell Of A Day.”

Texas singer Ryan Hamilton(Smile Smile, People On Vacation) played the Austin’s SXSW Festival in 2010 and met up with Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup) and their friendship led to a lot of songwriting and finally a (self-funded) solo album. And it’s a rare thing that an artist can appeal across generations with a timeless power pop sound, but Ryan does it with flair similar to Wyatt Funderburk or Fountains of Wayne. Its also no surprise that this album was produced by Linus of Hollywood.

First, the sing-along chorus of “Be Kind Rewind” is apologetically sunny and bursts forth with horns in the chorus, every bit an anthem to empowerment because “we can do whatever we like.” But the real single follows, as “Karaoke With No Crowd” is an ultra-catchy gem that will leave you singing along and things continue to roll from there. The troubled boyfriend is the protagonist for most songs, as “Letter Verb” and “Respond To My Email” are defiant responses to rejection, as well as great melodies. Another rocking tune is the riff packed “Medicine” that pulls out all the stops and “Records and Needles” is a love letter to classic rock, mentioning luminaries like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones.

“Freak Flag” is a sequel of sorts to “Karaoke” where you need to celebrate your individuality, and forget the brainwashing of pop culture’s poisonous influence. Its not just that each song here is an ear-worm, but the message is important and really resonates after a few listens. Add to that a great cover of REO Speedwagon’s “Take It On The Run” and you’ve got an album that easily becomes a nominee to our 2015 top ten list.

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Reno Bo “Lessons from a Shooting Star”

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Reno Bo “Lessons from a Shooting Star”

After spending most of his career performing and touring with the Mooney Suzuki, Albert Hammond Jr. (the Strokes), Caitlin Rose and Andrew Combs, Reno Bo decided to make this his breakout effort; doing almost everything on his own. Reno appeared on the power pop radar in 2010, but this year he’s blown away all expectations with his newest Lessons From A Shooting Star. From the pounding beat and swirling chords of “Sweetheart Deal” its chock full of catchy power pop.

Every song presents itself perfectly, on “How Do You Do” Bo is joined by guitarist Sadler Vaden for a single that is a bit of Dave Edmunds meets Jeff Lynne, and its completely irresistible. “Just Say Go” has the guitar riff lead the song at full speed, and then we slow down on “Strange Maps” to a Jackson Browne like mid-tempo gem with some impressive guitar breaks.

“And I Know She Did” is a shimmering Big Star like ballad and “The Brighter Side” co-written by Brendan Benson sounds like the best song Matthew Sweet didn’t write. “Sleeping Sun” is a standout piano based melody with a big pinch of Beatles, as well as the wondrous pysche-pop closer “Somewhere There’s Something.” In fact, each song is a home run and this album clearly hits the top of my top ten list this year. I don’t award an album a “10” rating lightly, but Reno Bo deserves it. Essential listening.

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The London Souls “Here Come The Girls”

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The Connection

The London Souls “Here Come The Girls”

Like mixing peanut butter and chocolate, when its done right you come up with a perfectly delicious combination – and that’s the best analogy of what The London Souls do with music. Mixing 70’s hard rock, pop and soul influences the band recalls Lenny Kravitz in his prime, but with a fresher coat of post-millennial paint.

Based in New York City, guitarist Tash Neal, drummer Chris St. Hilaire and bassist Stu Mahan blasts through the speakers with “When I’m With You,” a power pop nugget as catchy as classic Badfinger. “Steady” adds some soul and funk to the guitar riffs in the manner of Sly Stone. The acoustic “Hercules” is a catchy gem similar in spirit to Led Zepplin’s “Bron-Y-Aur Stomp” with its catchy riffs. “Alone” is a Zombies-Beatles styled composition with a sweet chorus, and you begin to notice as each song shifts in style, preventing things from getting too predictable. From the heavy riffs of “All Tied Down” to southern Allman Bros. style of “Bobby James,” it all works beautifully. This LP is easily a candidate for my top ten list for 2015. Don’t miss it.

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