Category: Top Ten of 2019 Candidate

Lannie Flowers and Empty City Squares

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Lannie Flowers

Lannie Flowers “Home”

Lannie Flowers is an amazing talent and despite not having a new LP since his Live In NYC album, he’s been very active. Worth the wait, Home boasts Lannie’s strongest songwriting to date. It starts quietly with the upbeat and catchy “Running.” The layered guitar hooks are familiar to Lannie fans, and the title track is a comforting mid-tempo rocker that encompasses the album’s main theme, which is that “home” is where the heart is, and wherever you are in life.

The album is very introspective, as Lannie lightly strums “My Street.” The observational lyrics are sweetly endearing, and the follow up “Anyway” is another brilliant bit of songwriting that recalls Paul Simon or Adam Schlesinger. The Texas-style comes through on “Free To Dream” and “I Got A Secret,” with its mellow verses and slow rhythms. Thankfully the rockers come back with the melodic bliss of “Just Go To Sleep,” the Lennonesque “Shine A Light,” and the wicked bass-driven melody for “It’s All Over.” And Lannie wears his heart on his sleeve with each of these songs of heartbreak and doubt, like on “Missing You Tonight” and “He’s Got Himself.” Every song here is fined tuned to resonate with emotion. Highly Recommended and earns a spot on my top ten list for 2019.

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Empty City Squares

Empty City Squares “337”

New Jersey’s John “Yanni” Fotiadis is the main songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of Empty City Squares. This artist has been mostly under the radar, but now he should be getting a little more attention. Fotiadis has a gift for composition and production, his influences point directly to the mid 70’s peak of post-McCartney rock (Wings, Andy Pratt, Gilbert O’ Sullivan, David Essex).

The opener “Neighborhood Van Gogh” is a shimmering example of power pop, with handclaps, layered percussion, and a driving beat. The technique is very compelling, “A Big Sunset” and “Sometimes You Need To Look Back (When You Look Ahead)” reminded me of 70’s pop oddity Brian Protheroe, but with Abbey Road like ambitions. I found “Campaign Song” especially rang a lot of those melodic bells with terrific musicianship and dramatic lyrics. “Overly Sentimental” is another big highlight with a boogie-woogie guitar rhythm that’s simply infectious.

However some songs weave in more than one style during a chorus, and while interesting, it loses melodic hooks in the process. John packs many musical ideas into each song and often the songs run over 5 minutes. Another issue is that his vocals don’t always rise to the material written. For example, “Just Play” proves a great tune that simply falls short without an aggressive rock vocal. Despite these flaws, most of the songs are worthy of repeat listens. This is music that deserves to be heard, and I can’t wait to hear what John does next.

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Pernice Brothers and Project: Ghost Outfit

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Project Ghost Outfit

Pernice Brothers “Spread The Feeling”

This is the Pernice Brothers’ first new album in nine years. And Joe Pernice almost makes it look effortless with excellent songwriting and stellar musicianship. Starting with the simple strums of “Mint Condition,” it flowers into a catchy gem full of richly textured sound. “Lullabye” opens with those ’80s styled guitar notes, resembling Modern English and “The Devil and The Jinn” is a classic Pernice return to form. A story told with lyrics that are more poetry; “Love is a cruel company store, a trans-global disaster it’s a meltdown to the core.”

It’s those emotional notes matched with a compelling melody that makes this album so damn good. Even the simple ballads, like “Evidently So” are so expressive they demand attention. The punchy pop returns on “Throw Me To The Lions” and its jangling perfection with “Skinny Jeanne.” Not a hint of filler here and even the bonus tracks are good.  Joe’s crafted this with a solid cast of musicians; Pernice Brothers alumni (Peyton Pinkerton, James Walbourne, Patrick Berkery, Bob Pernice, Ric Menck) and new contributors (Joshua Karp, Neko Case, and Pete Yorn). It’s like rediscovering the Pernice Brothers all over again, and it makes my top ten list for 2019.

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Project Ghost Outfit

Project: Ghost Outfit “Project: Ghost Outfit”

A super-group is a rare thing, and when you have all the players on the same page it creates something special. The great Bill Lloyd has teamed up with Cheap Trick guitarist Tom Petersson, guitarist Adam Shoenfeld, and drummer Keith Brogdon. They all met up at a party hosted by Petersson and decided to play together. The result is Project: Ghost Outfit.

The opener “Somebody’s Heart” is pure magic, with Keith’s vocals and the group harmonies in the chorus create power-pop gold here. Lloyd’s guitar leads the anthemic rocker “Hang On” and it’s another catchy rocker with a sweet descending chord progression in the chorus. Throughout the album, you do hear a distinctly original sound although the DNA of Cheap Trick is clearly present on tracks like “Ups and Downs” and “Never Remember.” Lloyd’s influence is most pronounced on “Mess My Mind,” and like all his material – catchy as hell. It took a few spins to appreciate all the details and there is no filler amongst the 7 tracks. The finale “Buying Time” is a good reflection on getting older and remembering days past. I just wish there was more – hope the band considers a sequel. Highly Recommended.

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Dan Israel and Fastball

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Dan Israel

Dan Israel “Social Media Anxiety Disorder”

Minneapolis singer-songwriter Dan Israel is back with his 15th studio LP, and he’s better than ever. While always a reliable roots rocker in the tradition of Tom Petty or Steve Earle, on Social Media Anxiety Disorder he hits it outta the park. “Be My Girl” is a gem that blasts out the horns and guitar riffs with abandon and a solid hook that will stick in your head quickly.

Next “125” is a mellow psych-pop tune that comfortably grooves, and “Just Can’t Take It” is a catchy gem that sounds like Bob Dylan playing with Mark Knopfler. “I’m Still Lost” is a soulful examination of anxiety and facing it head-on. “Another Day” and “Alright” are uptempo rockers that resonate, and he revisits the earlier theme on “Just Can’t Take It Revisited,” and its a clever deconstruction. No filler here, each song brilliantly captures Dan’s emotions and insecurities. This LP is built for multiple listens and highly recommended.

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Fastball

Fastball “The Help Machine”

Platinum-selling band Fastball is known for smart catchy power-pop and its latest LP is another strong effort that leans heavily on the great songwriting from Miles Zuniga and Tony Scalzo. However, the musical hooks so prominent on past albums are in shorter supply here. While the quality of the music remains excellent, the mood is mainly dispirited.

The world-weary “Friend or Foe” projects a sense of angst with all the uncertainties of life. Scalzo’s “White Collar” is an early highlight, with some terrific shifting chords and tight harmonies, along with its organ melody. “Redeemed” is a bluesy mid-tempo gem that plays like a sermon with a jazzy guitar solo. One of the few uptempo tunes “The Girl You Pretended To Be” is like a bouncy early Elvis Costello song with a steel pedal country vibe. But most of the songs are lovely ballads like “I Go South” or “The Help Machine,” which focuses on that empty existential feeling as Zuniga croons “I don’t want to spend my life chasing money.” A downer, but so well done. Highly Recommended.

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Nick Frater and The Pozers

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Nick Frater

Nick Frater “Full Fathom Freight-Train”

The UK based Frater has quickly emerged as a power-pop force to be reckoned with. With a leaning towards classic 60s-70s influences he opens with “Sunshine After The Rain,” a deceptively simple melody that worms it’s way into your head quickly, on its strong verse-chorus structure. “Oh, Now Girl” is like an early Teenage Fanclub gem, which also has its heart on its sleeve. “Your Latest Breakup Song” slows down just a touch, like if Paul Simon teamed up with Andrew Gold. These three tunes alone make Frater’s music unforgettable. But there is more.

The dream-like “All Out at Sea” changes the mood and “The Getaway” has this thick early 70’s sheen, like Sweet or Sailor. “Holding On to You” is a perfect song about longing that combines old and new styles of pop balladry. “Strangers on The Bus” and “What Does Good Look Like?” lean toward mid-tempo pop in the mold of Adam Schlesinger. Not a single weak track here, so I’m gonna cut this review short. Last year’s “Goodbye Kayfabe” was a top ten EP, and it’s safe to add this LP to 2019’s top ten LP list.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


The Pozers

The Pozers “Crybaby Bridge”

Texas-based band The Pozers are back with two distinct songwriters as they sing about nostalgia, youth, breakups, regret, and death. Starting with a hard rock riff and an echoing lead vocal by Kenny Swann on the opener “Goodbye (I’m Gone),” it’s safe, but an uninspiring start. But Jim Richey’s “Two” is a much more interesting tune, as a psyche-pop mid-tempo gem with layered harmonies and a nice instrumental break at the midpoint. Fans of The Pillbugs will enjoy that one. Next, “SoCal” is another Richey song and you’ll hear echoes of Badfinger in this tune about chasing fame. He sings “So tell me how’s the life you’re making? If you cry just say you’re faking.”

“The Only Girl” is an odd one; like a Beach Boys tune played at half speed and it contrasts with Swann’s “Nonstop” with its frantic drum pounding. Some songs with this approach work great like “Teenage Storybook,” and “So Long” but some of the heavy production techniques detract from other songs (“Telling My Secrets”). ”The Obvious Ledge” is a worthy tribute to the late Elliot Smith. There is enough here to keep most power pop fans interested, and I would recommend you check it out.

Amazon | CD Baby

Slumberjet and The Jellybricks

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Slumberjet

Slumberjet “World of Sound”

It’s been almost ten years since Irish power-pop artist Barry O’Brien decided to follow up his acclaimed debut, but he did bring in the heavy hitters for his return. Produced by Duncan Maitland, he is joined by Colin Hare (Honeybus), Johnny Boyle (Pugwash), and Eric Matthews along with original bandmember Keith Farrell. Barry’s melodic gifts remain unchanged, and Duncan’s amazing instrumentation and sonic arrangements give this collaborative album a timeless quality.

Opening with the dreamlike harmonies of the title track it launches into a Jellyfish-like pop gem with “Round x2,” it’s driving beat marches along with a shimmering guitar lead. The band successfully navigates a variety of pop stylings from the gentle jangle of “Float” to the insanely catchy “Across The Divide,” with an earnest Elvis Costello-like approach. All the songs are good, but a clear majority are simply great. For example, the XTC-like “Big Snow” is a colorful narrative from a child’s POV, about the wistful joy of a snow day. Another big standout is “Why Do You” with its sing-along chorus about repeating the same relationship mistakes over and over. The album shows a great variety of tone and never gets predictable. Overall a nice fit for my 2019 best album list and Super Highly Recommended.

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The Jellybricks

The Jellybricks “Some Kind of Lucky”

Harrisburg, PA favorites The Jellybricks are back delivering their glossiest and most mature outing to date. Signed to Wicked Cool Records, the band’s sound moves from indie club intimacy to arena-sized soundscapes. The echoing guitar chords of the opener “Corner of My Eye” are suited to the modern rock crowd who enjoy good melodies with their layered crunchiness, like The Goo Goo Dolls or Super Deluxe.

But despite the stylistic shift, the melodic skills of The Jellybricks shine through. Lead singer Larry Kennedy is in fine form on “Brooklyn,” an anthem which describes getting lost going to a certain gig. Catchy choruses reign on “Can’t Get Over You,” and it will stick in your head for days. The frantic “Ms. Misery” is a garage rock gem about “The girl I used to love,” who still nags at you, but one of the best songs here is “Faith.” This is a perfect mid-tempo power ballad about a broken relationship. Not everything here is as serious, “No Money” bounces along with its pop melody about simply being broke. “DOA” and “When It’s Gone” also are more alt. rock focused, it reminded me of The Mighty Lemon Drops with heavier layered guitars. Overall an excellent album that shows the band’s maturity and versatility. Highly Recommended.

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