EP Reviews: The Lickerish Quartet and a new interview with Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

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The Lickerish Quartet

The Lickerish Quartet “Threesome Vol. 1” EP

It’s been almost 30 years since former Jellyfish bandmates Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Eric Dover, and Tim Smith worked together on Split Milk (1993) but they’ve been teasing a semi-reunion for several months now. Well, the wait is over, and the three are now under the name The Lickerish Quartet. While it isn’t Jellyfish, it will be close enough for most fans of the revered cult power-pop band. Manning told me that there are no big egos in this project and the trio equally contributes to all the songs here.

The spritely “Fadoodle” starts the EP and it’s the most Jellyfish like tune here, a Dover-written gem that bounces along with lustful glee. Manning’s “Bluebird’s Blues” is next, a mid-tempo ballad that has all the layered sonic details building as it slowly veers into Jellyfish land toward’s the song’s end. “There Is a Magic Number” is distinctly different, a slower tune with twangy guitar and swirling synths. The EP ends on a 6 minute plus epic “Lighthouse Spaceship.” With a commanding glam guitar riff and a memorable melody in the chorus, it almost heads into Imperial Drag territory, before the piano coda fades in and the psychedelic details build-up towards a satisfying end, including a little “I am The Walrus” styled chorus at the fade. Overall a smartly detailed EP that will have fans salivating for more. Makes my top EP list for 2020, and Highly Recommended!

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Interview With Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

Despite some technical difficulties, I was able to speak with Roger about the new band, and the challenges of making this EP. Plus a preview of what’s coming next after Threesome, Vol. 1 including his next solo EP. Hopefully, the audio player will load below…

Lickerish Quartet

Diamond Hands and Paul Melancon

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Diamond Hands

Diamond Hands “III”

LA musicians Jon Flynn and Joel Wall have done a great job of getting people hooked on their ’60s drenched power pop. In 2016 they released a free debut, brilliantly constructed; their sound was like The Byrds, Monkees, and The Move all combined. They followed this up with “II” another free full-length LP that continued the melodies in 2018, so by the time “III” was ready I was eager to lay down my cash for this one. It was recorded last year but released last month.

The Rickenbacker strums have added muscle on “Sleep Too Long” with California references and a killer hook. “Tomorrow Can Wait” has an echoing jangle and is very similar in style to The Above. The ballads are just as infectious, like the Beatlesque “Any Other Girl.” You’ll have a fun time trying to play spot the influence on most of these songs. While very strong, the songs don’t surpass the gems on “II.” But they come close, and there isn’t a note of filler here. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Paul Melancon

Paul Melancon “The Get Gos Action Hour!”

Atlanta musician Paul Melancon and his band “the New Insecurities” take the persona of a late ‘60s Hanna-Barbera cartoon show, but other than the quick intro theme, it isn’t sugary bubblegum. This is an album about a journey.

“Permanent Makeup” is a great song about the lies we tell ourselves, and it includes a dense guitar break between the catchy verses. The narrative is a tale of struggling to deal with a dark reality, “This Shaky Lullaby” is a warning to listeners to “please don’t follow,” as it effectively leads us down the rabbit hole. “Hyperventilate” is a Jellyfish-like tune that describes a panic attack, and one of the best songs on the album. The next several songs deal with self-exploration and facing those demons, a notable example “Fitzcarraldo” about Werner Herzog’s obsession to complete his film with swirling synths in the melody. Next, “Mareación” is an 11 minute, 4-part epic trip that goes from folk to prog rock, and back. The aftermath is dealt on “Here and Now I Was” and the catchy finale “The Answer Is Yes.” Overall a strong emotional album that challenges the listener. I recommend you check it out.

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EP Reviews: The Unswept, Ken Fox, TEOA

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The Unswept

The Unswept “The Codependent EP”

The Unswept have shifted their style to a harder-edge, grittier sound with their new EP. “Codependent” adds major power to the pop melody and lead singer Ryan O’Brien seems to channel the spirit of Lou Reed. “Try To Forget You” is another effective rocker, fans of the bands on Rum Bar Records label will feel at home. The finale “Wonderfully Perfect Right” is a multi-layered power ballad with a welcome jangling rhythm.
Highly Recommended.

Bandcamp


The Unswept

Ken Fox & Knock Yourself Out “Ken Fox & Knock Yourself Out”

Since 1990, Ken Fox has been playing bass, writing, recording and touring with The garage rockers The Fleshtones. He sets his sites on going solo, still tethered to his old band on the opener “One Less Step”  and the hyper  “Let’s Go!” Both songs blow speakers apart and are a celebration of Ken’s independence. The punk fuzz of  “Do It!” is another gem that explains “it’s rock and roll!” The vintage beat and violins of “Love Is In the Grave” reminds one of Ken’s past with cowpunk legends Jason and the Scorchers. Enjoy this fun debut. Highly Recommended.

Amazon  | Kool Kat Musik


The Unswept

TEOA “Light Within”

Love harmonies? Then you’ll feel some magic with TEOA (aka The End of America). The band is James Downes, Trevor Leonard, and Brendon Thomas; friends who met on the road, after singing harmonies on each other’s songs while on tour as solo artists. Their sound is solid Folk, and thought-provoking roots Rock. “Monsters” looks at the world’s problems and give out a three-part cry for help. Even stripped down on “Howl,” the talent is on full display here, reminiscent of The Eagles’ “Seven Bridges Road.” This is the ground floor of a band destined to go far. Check’em out.

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The Foreign Films and Super 8

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The Foreign Films

The Foreign Films “Ocean Moon (New Songs and Hidden Gems)”

Bill Majoros (aka The Foreign Films) is back after the masterful Record Collector with something a little mellower but no less wonderful. Setting up a nostalgic date circa 1964 on “Dream With Me Tonight” it has echos of early Beach Boys innocence (without sounding anything like them.)  The subtle lead and strings of “Katie and the Crystal Hearts” feels bittersweet, reminding me of Kyle Vincent or Jeff Lynne.

The Rickenbacker strums of the title track make it the most impressive and catchiest song in the group, plus its got a lovely harmonic coda. The echoing piano ballad “Down On The Boulevard (Pinball Kid)” is another highlight that paints a dramatic memory with only a few lyrics. Each song resonates and even though the last three tracks are from Record Collector it matches up nicely with the new material. Another bonus is that this a FREE Bandcamp download, so you can try before you buy. Highly Recommended.

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Pop Co-Op

Super 8 “Head Sounds”

UK artist Paul Ryan is certainly prolific and unique. He’s got a homespun pop aesthetic and a poppy-hippy charm that can be quiet infectious at times. The opener “Dragonfly” layers several sounds to great effect, creating a nice jam melody before it shifts to an easy-going shuffle asking “If you could only live one day/What would you do?” Very disarming and charming.

Using jangling rhythms very much in the spirit of Elephant Six collective bands, “Love Like Ours” catches you and doesn’t let go. “Sweet Norah” slowly devolves into a psyche-pop jam and really takes off when that bassline begins. “Millionaire” is a funny tune about songwriting gone wrong, and “I Just Wanna Be Me” also moans about the unfairness of the music business. The second half of the album doesn’t quite carry it over the finish line, with covers of “Across The Universe” and “In My Room.” But this is definitely the most engaging Super 8 LP to date and it’s certainly music that deserves to be heard.

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Freebie Singles and LP previews: The Well Wishers, Ken Sharp, Chinofeldy, The Britannicas, Explorer’s Club, The Corner Laughers,Sunshine Boys

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The Easter bunny dropped off some wonderful music in my inbox this week. Rather than hide them I’d like to share these goodies with you…

The Well Wishers reflect on flection, hope, family, and charity…all bolstered by a four-minute blast of uplifting power-pop melodicism.

Ken Sharp is offering a message of hope for a world and sales go to the United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund, which provides relief to those left vulnerable by the pandemic.

Chinofeldy is the brainchild of Joe Kane and Marco Rea, two of Glasgow’s most prolific songwriter/producers. Very much in the spirit and sound of classic 10cc, I love this joyous melody about just “staying home.” A FREEBIE!

The Britannicas are a musical collective; Herb Eimerman, Joe Algeri, Magnus Karlsson and Stefan Johansson. They specialize in jangling guitar melodies that sound great. A FREEBIE!

The Corner Laughers‘ new album is coming soon! Here is a sweet track to entice you to preorder.
Sunshine Boys have a new album coming soon! I love the catchy melody here, “Summertime Kids” is a winner.

The Explorer’s Club will be planning to release two (2) albums! One is a covers album represented by the Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart classic “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight?” – the other is just original penned tunes represented by “Ruby.”