Ho ho holiday singles! The Weeklings, Johnathan Pushkar, Peggy Sue, The Lunar Laugh, The Popravinas, The JAC

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The holiday season is upon us, and the holiday singles are already here! The Popravinas of sunny California are looking for presents, while Joe Algeri, aka The JAC has reliably delivered a stocking stuffer every year. Peggy Sue is a vocalist from UK that I just found and liked – new LP is expected in February. All these singles are FREE downloads. And at the last minute, The Lunar Laugh share a festive moment recorded live at VZDs in Oklahoma City, OK.





The Weeklings celebrate the season with the original “Gonna Be Christmas”- Get the single on  Amazon


Johnathan Pushkar covers The Beach Boys “Little St. Nick” – Get the single on Amazon


More singles will be posted as we get closer to Chanukah and Christmas

Jeffrey Foskett and Stephen Clair

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Jeffrey Foskett

Jeffrey Foskett “Voices”

Jeffrey Foskett isn’t a household name, but he really should be. One of the most versatile and skilled vocalists in pop, he spent most of his career with The Beach Boys. He sang the high falsettos previously credited to Carl Wilson and was a dependable vocalist for countless live shows. Unfortunately, his singing career was cut short in early 2018 when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Surgeries and treatments have led to the loss of a vocal chord, but he continues to play other instruments. Foskett’s stunning a cappella singing pays tribute to several pop classics and was recorded over several years’ time.

The easy-going “Feelin’ Just The Way I Do” by Hawaiian pop duo Cecelio and Kapono is very typical of Jeff’s solo work, and the gentle rendition of Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways” is perfect for a slow dance. But it wouldn’t be a Foskett LP without some Beach Boys covers. This is where Jeffrey kills it. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Good Vibrations” are faithful to Brian Wilson’s vocal arrangements, but on “Warmth of The Sun,” I think it’s even better than the original. Jeff’s version of The Association’s “Everything That Touches You” is untouched by instrumentation and showcases his amazing harmonic skills. Another jaw-dropping display of vocal skill is his rehearsal on Neil Sedaka’s “Laughter In The Rain.” The collection is a touching portrait of Foskett’s love of harmony and compelling melodies, so do yourself a favor and get this now.  Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Stephen Clair

Stephen Clair “Strange Perfume”

NY musician Stephen Clair makes a basic statement with his new album, Strange Perfume. It’s that rock and roll doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles to be good, but it does need emotional resonance to make an impact. Clair’s sound is what I would consider alternative garage rock, you’ll hear influences from Lou Reed, Wilco, Soul Asylum and The Rolling Stones. Stephen is joined by bandmates Aaron Latos, Daria Grace, Nate Allen, and Brad Hubbard.

The title track starts with a grungy kind of jangling rhythm and Clair’s understated, but deep vocal keeps things moving. “Cadillac Jack,” is a big highlight, similar to Tom Petty’s style with a steady beat and ethereal backing vocals in the chorus. “I’ve Got Trouble” has more guitar muscle, like the Stones a little with the barroom croon, “I’ve got no trouble, getting into trouble, it just comes to me.” Another highlight is “Crown Of Man” with its grimy guitar slowly trudging forward full of squelches, and the tempo increases as it gains traction. “What Got In Your Head” is another slow grower that sticks. Overall a terrific LP full of bluesy rock that deserves to be heard.

Amazon

https://youtu.be/tthtzn-J068

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.

Amazon


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.

Amazon

Singles: Kurt Baker, Danny McDonald, Suspect Parts, Willie Wisely, Richard Turgeon, Francis Lung, Nick Bertling

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The Kurt Baker Combo has been putting out a few tracks over the last few months, including (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love. It’s good to hear the classic Kurt Baker sound after a few punkier projects. Look for a new LP soon I think.

A truly excellent power-pop single by Danny McDonald but it’s so short (1:10) — is it too much to ask for another chorus? Hear more for FREE on the Shake Yer Popboomerang Vol. 3 compilation.

Suspect Parts are a German band with influences coming from 60s pop and the 70s California beach sound, all the way through to 77-punk. Nice three-song EP here.

As previously noted, Willie Wisely does country music as well as power pop. The ballad “No Suprise” has four mixes here, all with steel pedal and soulful vocal performance.

Richard Turgeon just keeps putting out cool tunes, this single has plenty of guitar muscle. He also recently added “Jolene” which is a FREE download. I liked this song better, like a hybrid of The Who and Oasis.

The holidays are fast approaching. This sweet pop treat by Francis Lung is most welcome! Beautiful vocal harmonies join clarinet, tenor sax, flute, bass clarinet, and baritone sax to create this bittersweet seasonal gem. It’s a FREE download too.

Last week we featured Nick Bertling‘s Monkee covers, now he’s doing a faithful instrumental overture from The Who’s “Tommy.” A FREE download, and a fine job, Nick!

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.

Amazon


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.

Amazon