The Innocents “Teardrop Kiss”
The Australian band the Innocents started out in Tasmania circa 1975. Originally called Beathoven, they achieved some fame and were considered the Aussie version of The Raspberries until they split up in 1981. But now they are reunited and with producer Michael Carpenter onboard. Teardrop Kiss proves that you can always come back home.
The original members & high school friends Charles Touber, Greg Cracknell and David Minchin form the core of the band, and because they have not broken through to US audiences, they remain a well-kept secret to many power pop aficionados. That might change, as the opener “Every Moment Matters” is a classic gem with jangling guitars and hooks similar to The Shoes recent comeback. The styles shift slightly as “Strangers In The Park” has a rousing middle eight and “Teardrop Kiss” is led by a wicked bassline. The gorgeous ELO-like harmonies are a highlight on “You’re Not The Man” and “Change Of Scenery” boasts a very Jellyfish-like composition. The band seems to defy age until the weary final track “The Mouse That Roared.” This is a great album, highly recommended and worth seeking out!
Tommy Lorente “Tommy Lorente & La Cavalerie”
There are few pure power pop artists from France, but Tommy is so busy we may not need more. Lorente knows how to rock, and shows it with each riff filled song with his band The Cavalry (La Cavalerie.) Unlike his recent solo work, this is all in the French language. I’ve compared him to Kurt Baker, as they both take from the same rock influences. Even “J’ai Connu Mieux” starts with a “Johnny B. Good” riff, and “Ne Paire Pas de Nous” sounds like a French version of the Ramones.
But the limitations to this approach are clear, as lyrics become more important if the melodies aren’t that distinguishable. And if you don’t understand French, it just feels less compelling. I found a few standout tracks (in particular at the albums second half) like “Conquistador,” “Katrine” and the fuzzy filled guitar solo on “L’Opportuniste.” This is a great LP for Tommy fans and Francophiles, others may find that Stupefaction is more to their liking.
