Chicago musician Dan Rico’s take on glammed-up blues pop is solid here on “Flesh & Bone,” sure to bring up memories of Marc Bolan. “Gold Volvo” also features some nice guitar work.
Everet Almond delivers a demo EP, “The Starlight” is a good acoustic number with attitude. “Summertime” has that McCartney bass line, and “Call My Name” features piano by his son Waylon (age 6). A fun little EP that’s a FREE download.
Brand new single from the upcoming Rum Bar Records release Justine and the Unclean ‘Get Unclean’ has lead singer Justine Covault pleading with her idiot boyfriend, also check out the related “Love Got Me Into This Mess” both are FREE Downloads and both rock!
The super talented Andy Reed released this single under the moniker The Reed Brothers featuring Jason Reed. This advance single will be part of a full-length concept album in 2018.
Minneapolis synth player YYY does the whole Pet Sounds album. Features many guests and to some, this is interpretation may be sacrilege. On the other hand, it’s tough to mess up Brian Wilson and some of this is quite lovely (“You Still Believe In Me” and “Caroline No”). A FREE download.
I’m glad we finally have a new full-length album from Greg Ieronimo, as his debut Bipolar Love several years ago was a favorite and he’s been teasing us with tracks leaked out on IPO compilations. Greg’s sound emphasizes the “power” in power pop with heavy riffs leading the way on each song, comparable to Extreme or Green Day, but with a melodic emphasis and lush production technique similar to Jason Falkner. And unlike the debut, his style is very consistent here.
Opening with “Rewind” its hook-filled bass lead is layered with verses and backing harmonies that make Ieronino’s music so compelling. “Never Leaving California” is a slow building heavy rock standard about his home state, and then “You Love Me” is a piano-led gem with a cascading hook in the chorus. One of the catchiest songs here is “Best Day Of Our Life” brimming with ADD-fueled optimism. In fact, it’s a challenge to find a bad song here from the bouncy gem “Outta Sight” to the mid-tempo rock ballad “Make It Out” it’s all good. One critique you can say is that there may be too many songs (14) to digest very quickly, so take your time savoring each one with headphones. Easily this one is a top 10 nominee for my 2017 best-of list. Super Highly Recommended! Amazon
Robyn Gibson “Bob of the Pops Vol . 1”
One of the best young voices in pop music Robyn Gibson (The Junipers) created this covers album over a series of six years, produced by Boryng Bison. Gibson’s song selection is especially good, as he provides a perfect male version of Kristy MacColl’s “They Don’t Know” (a big hit for comedian Tracey Ullman).
The album consists of popular rock standards (The Beatles “Nowhere Man”) with more obscure singles (The Rutles “With A Girl Like You.”) The production is crisp and Gibson’s smooth vocal is multitracked for great harmonic moments like Teenage Fanclub’s “Did I Say.” Overall a great audio treat for lovers of great power pop. And hey, it’s a FREE download so pick it up and sing along with Robyn. Hopefully, Vol.2 isn’t that far behind.
Some tribute albums stay faithful to the sound of the artist, others go in the opposite direction and try to make something new out of an artists original composition. This tribute is definitely the latter, as assorted artists take on the Brothers Gibb. What you end up with is a mixed bag, from the very good “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” by Emmitt Rhodes, to the very bad “How Deep Is Your Love” by Isobel Campbell.
Some good highlights include a gospel version of “To Love Somebody” by Elayna Boynton and heartfelt “Massachusetts” by Dylan Gardener. I liked the obscure hits like The Boy Joys doing “Cucumber Castle” but Martin Carr’s version of “Stayin’ Alive” is nearly unrecognizable. A Deluxe edition contains a separate disc with various re-mixes. Amazon
“A Seance at Syd’s”
A Séance at Syd’s is an Anthology of Modern Acid-Folk-Haunt-Psych-Prog-Space-Kraut-Radiophonic-Rock, as done by some of the best in the pysche-pop genre and the musical companion to a limited edition hardcover book. It concentrates less of the commercial aspects of the former Pink Floyd band leader, so you won’t exactly hear a cover of “See Emily Play,” but you will hear some pretty trippy stuff that’s just gorgeous. Check out the first 2 songs; “Arthropoda Lepidoptra” by The Luck of Eden Hall or “You Got Me Going” by Stay for a taste. The quality of the music is undeniably first rate, and most of it successfully balances melody and stream of consciousness psychedelic rhythms.
Fans of Pink Floyd will enjoy some of the overtones on tracks like “Crowbaby” or the atmospheric “Chonyid.” It may seem quite pricey, but you certainly get a lot of music (40 tracks worth). It’s definitely a gift for that buddy who never left the groovy sixties behind.
