Category: Top Ten of 2016 Candidate

Radio Days and Pezband

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Radio Days “Back in The Day”

Italy’s Radio Days have paired themselves down to a trio and are going back to their roots on “Back In The Day.” In doing so the band moves away from the strict formulaic approach and decided to rock out, capturing an energy that is more like The Beatles on steroids with the opener “Why Don’t You Love Me Anymore?” The next several tracks are catchy and highly addictive, especially the double-time “You Won’t Fool Me Twice.” The title track follows a template closer to The Raspberries and makes its point, looking to the past for those tasty hooks.

The oddity here “Your Words” is a light pop tune with a reggae beat, but the band is quick to return to those chiming guitar chords and each track after is a solid gem. From the ballad ” You Bring Me Down” to the powerful backbeat of “Subway Station Girl,” Radio Days delivers the goods and never falls into a predicable rut, adding garage elements on “Smash This Party” and ending with another Beatlesque love song “Betta” which echoes a little of the Fab’s “Do You Want To Know A Secret?” My only pet peeve here is the compressed sound quality in the studio mix. Overall a great album that makes my top ten list for 2016. Ciao!

Bandcamp | CD Baby | Amazon


Pezband

Pezband “Women & Politics” EP

Chicago’s Pezband was one of the better known power pop bands in the late ’70s, following the path of their bretheren Cheap Trick and The Raspberries. But by 1980 after three albums and two live EPs, interest from their label vaporized and the group disbanded. The next year guitarist Mimi Betinis and drummer Mick Rain were energized and ready to to give Pezband another shot. Joined by original band member John Pazdan, the trio headed to Los Angeles to record “Women & Politics.” Unfortunately in the era of post-Knack backlash, the EP was shelved. Until now.

“Office Girl” has the angular guitars and beat that’s typical of the pre-new wave era. “Waiting In Line” is closer to a classic Pezband single, with its distinctive vocal interplay and jangling rhythm. “Fab Girlfriends” is another gem, with some excellent guitar shedding between the chorus and ending. “Russian Tanks” is a cold war era tune that compares well with The Clash and Public Image Limited. This is a vinyl release and a highly recommended one.

Frodis Records | Amazon

S.L.D. and Fallon Cush

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S.L.D. “Indigo Gray”

I’m extremely happy to hear that this project finally comes to fruition. A musical collaboration via email between two long lost cousins, Paul Costanza and Tom Parisi from Brooklyn, NY that started as a small EP several years ago. Not only are the “Sounds Like Digging” EP tracks re-worked to sound even better, a treasure trove of new music is packaged into this remarkable debut album.

Paul’s crisp vocals are supported perfectly by Tom’s guitars on the catchy opener “Do Or Say.” The Beatles influence is strong on “Kindergarten Sky,” and the easy going vibe of “Can You Feel It” adds a modern psychedelic touch. Fans of Klaatu and Electric Light Orchestra will also hear influences on “Long Long Gone” and “Free At Last.” Tom shines on the solo between the chorus on “So Glad,” and the pair of piano pop melodies dedicated to girls (“Jenna” and “Stephanie Told Me”) burst with optimism and brilliance. Each song here is a keeper with strong melodies and rich production, so no filler here – in fact its like a collection of hit singles. Highly Recommended and makes my top ten best album list for 2016.

CD Baby | Amazon | Bandcamp


Fallon Cush

Fallon Cush “Bee In Your Bonnet”

Fallon Cush is the vehicle for songwriter Steve Smith, a veteran Sydney musician that has dabbled in power pop, but really has great success with melodic rock Americana style. Influences heard are mainly Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Band and The Byrds. This new LP has Steve, Glen Hannah (guitars), Scott Aplin (keyboards) and Josh Schuberth (bass, drums) along with backing vocalists Suzy Goodwin and Stephanie Grace to round things out.

It starts out with the slow build of “There’s A Dark Side To That Moon,” but you notice the rich sound and production once the chorus kicks in. The piano and jangling guitars lead “Less You’re Near,” and even though the style is Dylanesque, it clearly sounds like original Fallon Cush. Some brilliant music follows; “Kings Ransom” is a mid-tempo charmer and slow ballad “For Too Long” is a wistful memory that sticks with you. And the album is even stronger after the mid-point with the melodic “The Honeycomb” and excellent title track. One thing I’ve noticed about Smith’s music over the years is that he gets better with each album. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Sam Means and Latvian Radio

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Sam Means

Sam Means “10 Songs”

While not a household name, Sam Means was one half of the celebrated Arizona indie-pop act The Format alongside Nate Ruess (who later went on to form the Grammy Award-winning act, fun.) It took a while, but Means’ debut full-length 10 Songs was worth the wait and is bursting with an creative energy plus Jellyfish’s Roger Joseph Manning Jr. helped with arrangements!

Each song is part of a emotional narrative about the transition to adulthood. “How To Sing” is both whimsical and subtle with its bass lead and horn flourishes that builds to near white noise. Next “We’re Alone” is like a slow, gentle prayer that leads to “The Other Side Of You,” a catchy ear-worm with an accending scale (reminded me of Field Music here).  “Taking it Back To Yesterday” is the main theme of the album; a simple piano melody that grows into a sweet sing along. RJ Manning’s fingerprints are subtle, but on “Calina” it’s easy to spot on this brilliantly catchy song. The relaxed “All I Ever Wanted” is another feel good gem, but as we close out the album it slows as the mood turns inward on “Bigger Heart” that could be compared to Mark Oliver Everett (Eels) or Salim Norallah. Overall a brilliant album that gets on my top ten of 2016 list.

Itunes | Bandcamp


Latvian Radio “Until Tomorrow Gets In The Way”

Latvian Radio is back with their fifth album as the band continues to blend Patric Westoo’s tight vocals with steady guitar riffs mixing both power-pop, UK post punk and new wave influences. Starting with “Eyes Behind The Lens” its a dense chiming melody with layered horns, vocals and a jangling rhythm. The organ textures cover the strong composition “Power Lines and Bedroom Blinds” with some nice percussive work from Mark Poole.

The music seems to get looser as we go forward, “Weight of The World” has a catchy synth hook and a casual narrative that make it my favorite track on the album. While the backing harmonies and light melody of “Tease and Please” is a bit tedious, the albums tone shifts to a more rock orientation on “Letter To The National Enquirer.” Latvian Radio continues to be criminally overlooked and deserves to be heard. Highly Recommended.

CD Baby | Amazon

Trolley and The High Llamas

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Trolley

Trolley “Caught In The Darkness”

Milwaukee band Trolley continues it’s charge forward bringing 60’s inspired pop into the modern era.  This is the strongest effort to date, as the title track hits all the right notes, with solid support from organ and drums. A big highlight is “Thursday Girl,” with a combination of groovy retro synth and solid melody. Mod elements on “Crying All The Time” give way to a Byrdsian chorus that also meshes perfectly.

If it leans too hard on the retro conventions, it always seems to throw a curve in the melody or instrumentation like on “She Has It All.” But any shortcomings on some songs are overcome by the enthusiastic compositions, which never get predictable. Another gem “Losing That Madly In Love With Her Feeling” boast a good harmony in the chorus, and even goes a slightly punk on “The Kids All Sing.” Even the weird filler at the end of album is interesting.  I’m proud to list this as my first pick for the 2016 best-of  list.

Amazon | CD Baby


High Llamas

The High Llamas “Here Come The Rattling Trees”

Sean O’Hagan is back with another easy listening album, with all its wonderful subtleties and his influences are still mainly Brian Wilson, with a touch of Steely Dan. This narrative-driven project is broken up in several parts, with the main theme (title track) being lush and low key minimalist pop.

The vocals are in several songs, but most of this album is instrumental, with underscores all showing up first. “Brambles Black” is has a soothing bossa nova rhythm, with light synths and slow organ of “Mona’s Song” is another gem. Overall, this is what you’d expect from O’Hagan, his meticulous folk lounge music is meant to remain a sweet background soundtrack to your life.

Amazon