R. Stevie Moore isn’t exactly a household name, but he might just be the most prolific musician in America. With a career spanning 50 years and over 400 albums, Stevie is a pioneer of DIY low-fi bedroom pop and is finally starting to be recognized for his innovative music.
Pulling some of his best work from his massive catalog, Afterlife is an upgrade from the original lo-fi recordings, as they are re-recorded in a full studio. All recordings were made in the past 15 years, some compositions date from the 1970s to the 1990s, and there are a few new songs. This is the closest thing RSM has to a “Greatest Hits” album. And some famous fans help contribute; Ariel Pink, Jason Falkner, Lane Steinberg, and Chusid.
The studio polish really shines these old melodic gems, like “Irony” with its wonderful jangling rhythm and overdubbed harmonies. “Pop Music” and “The Winner” all maintain their subversive humor and are darn catchy too. Jason Falkner fans will recognize his touch on “National Debate” and “Another Day Slips Away.” In addition, Lane Steinberg’s “What Will I Do With The Rest Of My Life” is enhanced by RSM’s chorus and his Beach Boys tribute “Here Comes Summer Again” could’ve been part of their 20/20 album. Highly Recommended.
When The Flashcubes split in 1980, bassist Gary Frenay, guitarist Arty Lenin, and drummer Tommy Allen continued making music as Screen Test. The band had plenty of music left in them and released Inspired Humans Making Noise a year later. And while central New York was a loyal fan base, it couldn’t help the band get signed to a national label. But like their previous band, it was music too good to be buried in the past for long.
Through The Past, Brightly serves up some of the band’s best music, starting with a standout “Notes From Trevor,” a power pop gem with plenty of riff muscle. “Best Seller” is another great tune that layers guitars and thick percussion, with an Elvis Costello-like lead vocal. This is terrific power pop in its 80’s prime, and add to this covers of Emitt Rhodes “Fresh As A Daisy” and Greg Kihn’s “Hurt So Bad.” Occasionally the excesses of the 80’s production conventions on “My World” and “There’s No Place Like Work” make it dated, but most of the music is timeless, especially the standout “Make Something Happen.” For fans of 1980’s power pop, this is a no-brainer. Highly Recommended.
Van Duren was part of the 70’s Memphis Power Pop scene, playing with the likes of Chris Bell and Jody Stephens and atone 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
