The Pearlfishers and Sorethumb
The Pearlfishers “Love and Other Hopeless Things”
It’s been five years since their last album, and Glasgow’s magnificent Pearlfishers return with another wonderful album. Lead singer-songwriter David Scott has always mined the rich vein of adult-oriented pop, with influences like Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach and Laura Nyro. The title track out of the gate is a brilliant example of the rich melody Scott can produce, burnished by strings and brass. The combination of joy and sadness are a reoccurring theme, best heard on “Could Be A Street, Could Be A Saint” with the wistful refrain that “people are beautiful. So beautiful.”
Scott makes his lyrics both inspired and deeply personal. The autobiographical “Once I Lived In London,” starts with a simple acoustic guitar melody as he describes the memories of how he “went busking every day… cold and nervous, closed my eyes and kept believing.” That pastoral track and the wistful “You’ll Miss Her When She’s Gone” reminds me a little of Martin Newell’s recent nostalgia for youth. The charm of a show tune mixed with a little soul makes “You Can Take Me There” another winner. The music is permeated in rich details and each composition is delicately arranged. I vote this album most likely to make you tear up in 2019. Highly recommended.
Sorethumb “Sorethumb Remastered”
Back in the 1980’s Freddy Monday started his music career with a band out on Lindenhurst, Long Island. Sorethumb was a true product of its time, as the opening track “Not Ready For Love” is a “shoulda been” hit mix of Hall and Oats, Billy Joel, and Huey Lewis. The band played legendary bars and clubs all over Long Island and NYC: Oak Beach Inn, Right Track Inn, Kenny’s Castaway’s and The Bitter End to name a few.
Many of the songs are stylistically similar to Billy Joel circa Innocent Man. We also get a live track from Xenon nightclub (“She’s A Teazer”) and “Sentimental Heartache” definitely had hit potential. Unfortunately, the band ran into a streak of bad luck including numerous record deals that fell apart and a major label showcase that quickly descended into a fiasco. Sorethumb never got the fame it deserved, but if you are a fan of the era this is a true hidden treasure. Check it out!
Ray Paul and Matthew Logan Vasquez
Ray Paul “Bloody Rubbish”
After a successful album a few years ago with Whimsicality, Ray Paul gives us more “greatest hits” with Bloody Rubbish. Ray has always been a McCartney disciple and his music is tailor-made for anyone who enjoys Beatlesque power pop. The album features three previously unreleased tracks (two of which are live recordings by the current Ray Paul & RPM band recorded in 2017) and one studio track from 1977, along with remastered A & B sides of his early singles, which are prime cuts of Mersey Beat magic.
The familiar “I Need Your Love Tonight” rings out akin to a Raspberries hit, and the “Hold It” has instrumentation and style along the lines of Badfinger. “Love Me” was made in the early 70’s McCartney solo style, and the live concert tracks with his band RPM showcase the great energy here. I loved most everything here, all ten tracks represent rock and roll at its best. Remastered, and absolutely highly recommended.
Matthew Logan Vasquez “Light’n Up”
Frontman for indie rockers Delta Spirit, Matthew Logan Vasquez’s solo work is creative, with both fiery delivery and a tight sound. He draws from a diverse well of influences, from Gram Parsons to Kurt Cobain. Starting with the intimate folk ballad “Ballad In My Bed,” its provocative lyrics invite you in. Then he cranks up the energy level on “Trailer Park,” rocking like a Texas version of Bruce Springsteen. Following that, the noise rock “Vacation” is very much like Delta Spirit, but then he goes to the Nillson-like piano ballad on “I Love My Boy.”
The best marriage of these two approaches is “Ghostwriters,” a perfect power pop gem. Unfortunately, Matthew is having too much fun to stay the course. The 90’s dance-pop of “Ball Pit” feels pulled straight outta Prince’s vault. Vasquez has the talent and sound to do great things, all he needs is focus to create that greatness. Still, its a highly enjoyable album that deserves to be heard.
Support Your Local Power Pop Artist: Richard X. Heyman and Glen Burtnik
Richard X. Heyman “Pop Circles”
The 13th album by acclaimed melodic pop singer/songwriter Richard X. Heyman is his love letter to the Baby Boom generation. You get to be a part of it by pledging money to help this album come to fruition. Cool rewards; badges, lyric sheets, autographed CDs, fridge magnets! Please check it out here:
Visit Richard’s Kickstarter page
Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love
“Relive the Memories, Share the Spirit and Celebrate the Songs of the Woodstock Generation, The Music That Changed the World.”
Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love Concert series celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival. I’ve been a huge Burtnik fan for a long time (The Orchestra, The Weeklings, Styx) and now he’s running a huge music festival that focuses on the iconic rock music from the period of time generally between the 1967 and 1969. Shows run from July through August in selected cities. Visit www.summerofloveconcert.com to learn more.
Singles: Kai Danzberg, Chris Church, Ex Norwegian, The Cheap Cassettes, Oscar Tango and Amoeba Teen
A freshly minted follow up to Kai’s new LP Not Only Sunshine – get it at Big Stir Records
A Freebie! Chris Church’s single is very much a lost 70s-styled gem
This is a super fun single with its acapella beat, rock rhythm, and innocent lyric.
The Ramones-like chords and handclaps are awesome here.
Toronto band Oscar Tango is the brainchild of Ryan Farley, and this is a 4-song EP featuring classic power pop guitar.
Amoeba Teen (Stourbridge UK) new A-Side “Suit & Tie” is a supercharged preview of the band’s upcoming Medium Wave album, and the B-Side “Caught in the Middle” is a completely exclusive release from the same sessions as the album. “Suit & Tie” delivers power and never stops!
Get it at Big Stir Records