The Maureens and The Beatpunkers
The Maureens “Something In The Air”
The Maureens are from in Utrecht, the Netherlands with influences that recall The Beatles, The Byrds, Teenage Fanclub, and The Jayhawks. Over the years the band’s line-up has been thinned to a core four: Hendrik-Jan de Wolff (vocals/guitar), Wouter Zijlstra (vocals/bass guitar), Martijn Vink (guitar) and Stefan Broos (vocals/drums). Their songs are structured around blended harmonies and catchy melodies, and the Something in the Air album is their best one yet.
“4 AM” has a brilliant Rickenbacker jangling melody with a swelling chorus – a great standout. The tight harmonies on “20 Years for The Company” is like a mix of R.E.M. and Cast with its catchy folk chorus. The guitars get a little heavier on the ballad “She’s A Dreamer” and the easy-going “Can’t Stop” but the constant dual harmonies of Wolff and Zijlstra are what keeps things sweet. Another good comparison is The Spongetones — most songs are neat and short, with a only a few missteps. The jangling chords on the albums first half give way to rootsy acoustic ballads and some steel pedal guitar. “Trying To Reach You” and “Turn The Page” add guitar distortion to the compositions, and fans of The Grip Weeds will appreciate this. But despite all the retro techniques here, the music doesn’t dwell in nostalgia and sounds fresh and new. Highly Recommended without a doubt.
The Beatpunkers “Those Years Songs”
From sunny Spain, this trio formed in 2015 but longs for those skinny tie pop days when Paul Collins and The Jam ruled the airwaves. Lead singer Joseba “Joss” Aranburu explains “There are just three ingredients to define the Beatpunkers’ sound: a search for melody and vocal harmonies, power-pop guitars and a genuine garage-rock or even punk-rock drums all around.” It’s basic three-chord pop that starts out pretty straight on the opener “Lonesome Heartbreaker.”
It moves into 80’s styled garage pop with “She’s The One” and “No Reverse.” It’s these efforts that will resonate with power pop fans and the strong riffs on “Little Judas,” are another early highlight. Other songs get a bit too generic; “Come On Over” and “Lady Moon” are perfectly constructed but fail to make an impression. However, the band’s worship at the Paul Collins alter is fulfilled with “Sometimes” and “Hey Misses.” The garage Merseybeat “Missing You” is a pleasant surprise, and there while there is no “punk,” there also no clunkers or fillers. Highly Recommended.
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Joe Sullivan and Eytan Mirsky
Joe Sullivan “Growing Up Schlockstar”
Joe Sullivan returns with a highly anticipated sequel to his 2014 gem Schlock Star. Sullivan has the playful style and guitar buzz all around the opener “Mr. Positivity” that reminded me of an “American version” of Paul Steel. It’s a highly addictive melody that follows a theme of looking back at Joe’s youth through a power pop lens. “Gifted And Talented” boasts an assist from the awesome Brandon Schott, and its got a pop structure is similar to Jellyfish with its harpsichord, minor guitar chords, and heavenly harmonies. “Secret Weapon” is an ode to the untouchable girl from your class, but better is “Greenfield Acres” a layered guitar gem describing Joe’s hometown with a light Beatlesque touch.
It’s more focused than Schlock Star with less direct homages, but the corniness is turned up as well. The earnest innocence of “Cheerleader” and “The End” are so well played and executed it avoids lyrical parody. He cranks up the riffs on the Raspberries-like “Birthday” and it’s the highlight of the album. A great song that pulls out all the stops, and it’s guaranteed to have you playing air guitar. Overall, it checks all the right power pop boxes and almost every song here hits the mark. Oh, and it’s also got Andy Reed and Donny Brown. This album seems custom designed to make my top ten for 2019 “best album” list. Highly Recommended (of course).
Eytan Mirsky “If Not Now… Later”
The lonely troubadour Eytan Mirsky is back with a well written and solid melodic album. “Would It Kill You?” is a catchy opener that basically asks a woman who’s rejected him to “be nice to me,” which seems a tough sell. Unlike Funny Money, the album is a lot more pessimistic in its point of view and the music has more of a rootsy country vibe. Mexican standoff seems the subject of “Lay Down Your Weapons,” led by its slow steel pedal melody. And the fatalistic attitude is also expressed in “When the Ship is Sinking,” asking directly “Are you gonna float or are you gonna drown?” This theme is carried through the entire album.
It doesn’t let up, until the bouncy “Lingerie Pillow Fight,” which is the album highlight for me. It’s a great song with Eytan’s humorous attitude and catchy guitar riffs that would make Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) jealous. I also recommend “Last Home Game of the Season” a sad sack theme that’s perfect for your losing baseball team’s video montage. If you’re a member of the Mirsky Mouse Club definitely pick this album up. It’s music that deserves to be heard.
The Dates and Emperor Penguin
The Dates “Ask Again Later”
Out of Los Angeles, singer-songwriter Garett Goddard (Personal and The Pizzas, King Tuff) created the alter-ego band The Dates. On his debut, he worships at the power pop altar of Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, and The Flaming Groovies. The jangle-tastic “Any Other Nite” would easily fit on Grand Prix. Next, “Star” and “Pictures With Rene” keeps the same feel with more of a tilt toward #1 Record. Hero worship will only get you so far… but Goddard’s production has a deliberate lo-fi rough edge that keeps it fresh. And the hook-filled riffs of “Friday Nite @Vineland” and “Nervous” make this an album that can’t be missed.
The songwriting is basic and to the point; “Love’s Made A Fool Of You” and “Summer Girls” are perfect teen heartbreak anthems, where you “don’t want to go to school… I wanna stay home in my room… all the time” Every song held my interest and encouraged repeat listens, so that makes it an early favorite on my Top Ten of 2019 album list. Obviously, it’s Super Highly Recommended.
Emperor Penguin “Walnut Fascia”
Nigel Winfield and Neil Christie form the anchor for the UK-based band Emperor Penguin. The band marries power pop with elements of psyche and prog rock. “The Miasma at Euston” is a pastiche of The Beatles, The Jam, The Fall and a touch of King Crimson. Another highlight, “Shaking Spear” is a wicked rolling riff with a Who-like harmonic repeating chorus, and amazing shredding follows. Next, “See Ya later, Sayulita” has a memorable jangling melody, and “Only Love” is another gem that instantly hooks you.
“Sorry Not Sorry” plays heavily into the 60’s sound with its psyche-pop rhythm as a pitch-perfect political protest song. “Hotel Diplomat” has a very “Dukes of The Stratosphere” feel with its harpsichord and descriptive lyric. Then out of left field, the dense “Jensen Interceptor” almost sounds like a Love and Rockets tune. The prog style is dialed up a few notches for the rest of the album, and you get crazy psychedelics like “Brian is Flying Us Off to Mars” and the faux James Bond soundtrack “(The Theme From) Falling Tree.” While inconsistent, it’s never incoherent. Fans of The Grip Weeds, The Pillbugs and 60’s anglophiles you couldn’t do better. They are also scheduled for IPO Liverpool in May — don’t miss them! Highly Recommended.
Mike Daly & The Planets and Vinius
Mike Daly & The Planets “All It Takes Is One”
Mike Daly plays an unapologetic rock that comes out of the realization that “punk rock fantasies” are long over and playing into middle age offers its own personal rewards. And while Daly’s vocal approach brings to mind Bob Mould mixed with Steven Page and Chris Stamey, he’s clearly comfortable in his own skin.
Staring with “Slack” its heavy power chords punctuate each verse of him “Polishing my Grammys that I’ll never win.” The great guitar riffs open “Come Along” and leads to a head-bopping chorus about an old rock and roll fan’s life. “Find The Pleasure” is another standout and “Nonsense” has a little Lou Reed styled lyric. while not everything hits the mark, Daly has enough goodies here to keep you coming back for more listens. As an added bonus, this album is a name-your-price download. Highly Recommended.
Vinius “Heart and Bladder”
Vinius is the alter-ego of San Francisco-based TV/film composer Devin Farney. His influences stick to piano-based indie pop with cinematic and orchestral elements. Opening with “The Blame Game” it’s like a combination of Ben Folds and Andrew Gold with a slowly rising verse and a great chorus. His soft vocal fits the rich orchestration and moody atmospherics on “Caricature of Characters” and synth ballad “Probably Not Going To Happen.”
While many tracks have their moments, they don’t always tie into a compelling hook or chorus. The lush mid-tempo “How Much Would It Take” is another demonstration of Farney’s skill and ability to build an emotional melody. Some tracks are wonderful piano sketches, like “If You Ever” and the rousing chord progressions of “Offerings” with its whimsical tuba line. Overall a fine debut that deserves to be heard.