Van Duren “Waiting: The Van Duren Story” Original Soundtrack and more!

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Van Duren

Van Duren “Waiting: The Van Duren Story”

Van Duren was part of the 70’s Memphis Power Pop scene, playing with the likes of Chris Bell and Jody Stephens and at one point auditioning as the 2nd guitar player for Big Star just before the band’s demise. While a seminal musician, Van remained an obscure figure, mainly because his 1977 debut Are You Serious? was only reissued in limited quantities and the 1979 follow-up Idiot Optimism was released 20 years too late. But Van has continued making music on small indie labels with a variety of collaborators.

Van’s public renaissance was rekindled by two Australian fans, Wade Jackson and Greg Carey, whose latter-day discovery of Are You Serious? turned into a two-year documentary project about the dogged persistence of his career. The soundtrack stands as a fitting introduction to the artist with some of his best work. The starting track “Grow Yourself Up” has the strong piano melody similar to the style of Todd Rundgren. “Chemical Fire” is another gem with its funky bass and deep chugging guitar that recalled Alex Chilton. The title ballad, “Waiting” and “Positive (Wedding Song)” are soulful themes that ooze emotion. There are live tracks that showcase Van’s intensity on stage and some brilliant tracks from his tenure at 80’s band The Good Question. Overall a solid compilation for an artist long overlooked. Highly Recommended.

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Power Popaholic On The Air

Thanks to Dave “The Boogieman,” as he hosts a 4-hour show with music and interviews every 2 weeks on Radio NY International. I am given the opportunity to post my favorite music during special show segments:

February’s Featured New Artists
My Favorite Artist feature: Electric Light Orchestra

The Power Popaholic Interview: Van Duren

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Van Duren

If you are a true power pop fan then you already know Van Duren’s classic 1978 debut, Are You Serious?, and that this Memphis native has played with Chris Bell and Jody Stephens of Big Star. Van Duren’s long overlooked career is finally getting the attention it deserves.  His story of trying to join Big Star before the band’s breakup and his interactions with the folks at Ardent Records in the late ’70s are all part of this interview and his biographic movie “Waiting.” See the movie preview below. Get the new Soundtrack here.
Van Duren

The Toms and Nezrok

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The Toms

The Toms “Life Raft”

Its a long way from Tommy Marolda’s classic Beatlesque debut, but he’s still making guitar melodies that rock. He’s got an 80’s hard rock feel on the opener “Wish I Went To Princeton” with its quiet-but-catchy chorus. Marolda’s songwriting is always top-notch, and “Accident” is an excellent example with its layered rhythms, hand-claps, harmonies, and guitar riffs. “Another Happy Ending,” and “Buried Alive” have inventive approaches and compelling melodies.  The DIY psyche-pop “Tangerine” is another sweet theme that will stick in your head.

The quirky McCartney-like “If Mother Nature Had A Face” and “Profile” have some wonderful musical ideas that don’t quite stick. And even Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi guitarist) can’t save the overbaked “We Ain’t Giving Up.” But the atmospherics and blended swirl of ideas in  “Earthquake In Heaven” and “The Everlasting Stone In My Shoe” reminded me of The Dowling Poole and its worthy of repeat listens. Like last year’s Applestation, you’ll find an overall a mixed bag, that will appeal to longtime fans and those willing to experiment.

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Permanent Green Light

Nezrok “Nezrok”

Nezrok (aka Chris Korzen) has teased an album for a long time. Last fall he finally released this self-titled collection on New Jersey’s Jahal Records with a host of guests from Chris Bolger, Dennis Diken and Van Duren. It couldn’t start any better with the smoking riffs of “Middle Ground” with its catchy melody, it sounds like a lost Big Star tune, that fits well with the Van Duren-Jody Stephens cover of “Andy, Please.”

Vicki Loveland and Van Duren both contribute to “Imagine That.” A few songs like “ICU” and “Wide Open Spaces” are stylistically different and have guest lead vocals from Diane E. While I liked the music, it seems to belong on a different album. Power pop fans will do the best picking from those mentioned above, plus “Beach People,” and “Strong Love.” Solid gems are to be found here.

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David Mead and Cavetown

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David Mead

David Mead “Cobra Pumps”

After a long run of great albums, David took some time off after the 2011 LP Dudes. He is back, with a new album that he’s been heavily promoting on social media. Mead expands his stylistic skills all over Cobra Pumps, by sticking with an electric guitar compared to past elaborate productions. The opener “Bedtime Story” is a wonderful tune about domestic life and where it can take you.”The Business” has a neat hook and a jangle that keeps things moving. “She Walks Like A Grown Woman” is another big highlight, an in-your-face theme about female empowerment.

The jazzy tones of Mead are still here with “Head On Straight” and “Poster Child.” The 80’s vibe of “Big Balls” is something that feels a little out of place, but it’s still a good tune. And the classical influences are still what resonate on “Hopalong.” Overall there is plenty of variety here, so pick this one up. Highly Recommended.

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Cavetown

Cavetown “Dear.” EP and more

Cambridge-based artist Robin Skinner (aka Cavetown) is a making a serious run of great music in the tradition of Elliot Smith and Nick Drake. After 2017’s Lemon Boy Robin has embarked on a series of EPs and singles that focus on teenage isolation and depression. They are sparsely composed, with guitar and the occasional backing female vocal. Dear. was produced last year, with the somber “Just Add Water” and “Talk To Me” has a simple charm that stays with you.

Even more impressive is Robin’s songwriting skills continue to grow with his new “Animal Kingdom” series of singles. “Boys Will Be Bugs” and “Juliet” is all about being the pain of being an outcast. Hopefully, he gets more exposure as this stuff is too good to ignore. Highly Recommended.

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Joe Jackson and 8×8

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Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson “Fool”

It isn’t easy to find an artist that doesn’t bend to current trends, but Joe Jackson is one of them. On his 20th album, his voice still drips with sarcasm and sounds great as he makes his way through eight long detailed tracks.

“Big Black Cloud” slowly builds into a storm warning about the precarious state of middle-class living, and its piano chords just draw you in.  “Fabulously Absolute” is a terrific tune with Jackson’s classic tonal twists, as he cries “Tell me what I want, tell me what I feel!” It really showcases the fear, anger, and alienation of the everyman. Then it goes into “Dave,” a great mid-tempo portrait of modern drudgery with nods to Jackson’s past works. Fans will definitely hear echoes of 2008’s Laughter & Lust throughout, but these songs are not so immediate. The overall production is sharp as ever, with Graham Maby (bass) and Teddy Kumpel (guitar) given ample time to shine. It needs a few listens to appreciate Jackson’s subtleties here, but this is the master at work. Highly Recommended.

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8x8

8×8 “New Data New Day”

The prolific Lane Steinberg and Alexander Khodchenko continue to craft a dense weave of melodic richness on a bed of psychedelic textures. Never predictable, Lane launches into the standout tracks immediately with the rich piano, organ and woven harmonies of the title track and the catchy psychedelic fuzz of “Papa’s Garage.”

However, after those songs, the album slows considerably. “Racing To The Sun” is a fine exercise in restraint, as the melody is sparse but compelling. Other tracks don’t stick out as well, but Lane manages to describe milieus perfectly. On “Bye, Bye Landslide,” we visit a shifty carnival or on “Bernard’s Dilemma” its barbeque time in hell. Musically Alex is able to let loose on “Hidden In Plain Sight” and “Absolutely Hypnotized” with its swirling psychedelic guitar riffs. Overall a very good album that makes you want more. Highly Recommended.

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