Yes, it’s that time of the year again. I will do my best to put out a comprehensive listing by the end of this week. As I sort through the finalists I am also preparing reviews for January. I always end up with a handful of artists where I ran out of time in 2018 to review their work, and they get first consideration. On top of that, some bloggers put out their lists early and I have to note who I completely missed. Thank you for your patience.
White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams
Assorted Artists “White Lace and Promises: The Songs of Paul Williams”
Producer Andrew Curry, who has a soft spot for soft rock (Drink a Toast To Innocence) is back with his sites now on ’70s singer-songwriter Paul Williams. While a recognizable musical performer and actor, Williams legacy as a celebrity often overshadows his formidable songwriting talents. After all, he’s won an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and several Grammys. His work includes hits for Three Dog Night, Barbra Streisand and The Carpenters – all part of this covers collection by some talented indie power pop artists.
Several songs are given new life because many are deep cuts that won’t be instantly recognizable. I enjoyed the faster tempo of The Davenports take on “Evergreen” and Zach Jones faithful version of “Someday Man.” Lisa Mychols totally nails “You and Me Against The World” and Cliff Hillis turns the Carpenters epic “Rainy Days and Mondays” into an intimate personal ballad. Minky Starshine has a wicked version of “The Hell Of It” from the Brain DePalma cult film The Phantom of The Paradise.
But the ballads are where Williams songwriting is best known, and Chris Price’s “I Won’t Last A Day” and Andy Reed’s “Rainbow Connection” infuse Paul’s hopeful emotions perfectly. The Corner Laughers do their best to imitate singing muppets on “Movin’ Right Along” and The Test Pressings (John Borack, Robbie Rist and Karen Bassett) do a cheese-filled version of “The Love Boat,” in which Williams only wrote the lyrics. A few songs don’t quite work, but overall a fun compilation with a high batting average. And that’s highly recommended.
Fernando Perdomo and Cullen Omori
Fernando Perdomo “Zebra Crossing”
Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios, Fernando Perdomo continues his quest to make music that moves the soul. Fernando’s profound opening tracks “I’m Here” and “Sometimes I Feel Like I’m Nothing At All” recall emotional themes similar to Brian Wilson and John Lennon. Most of the music is thoughtful balladry, with the exception of the bouncy “Find Love (Hold On)” performed with friends; Dr. Danny, Ken Sharp and Megan Zeankowski.
The standout track here is the ode to the audiophile “We Were Raised With Headphones On,” with its jazzy guitar interlude. The stream-of-consciousness guitar instrumental of “Not Meant To Be” is another slice of magic, reminding me of Mike Keneally. The lyrical sentiment on “Sunday” is musings on lost youth and the abstract definition of “Home” reaches a grand scale. Also impressive is the epic instrumental title track and a passionate cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Highly Recommended.
Cullen Omori “The Diet”
Cullen Omori (Smith Westerns) channels his rock influences (George Harrison, Marc Bolan) through a much more modern pop lens full of glossy embellishments and crisp melodies that stick fast to your brain under the guidance of power pop producer Taylor Locke.
On the opener “Four Years” chiming guitar, rich self-effacing lyrics is an acknowledgment to his partner that “you do so many things, and I love you for it… but I usually forget it.” It’s a standout single that sets the tone of the album perfectly. The failures of modern life are told through subversive stories like “Borderline Friends” and “All By Yourself.” Some catchy highlights include the danceable “Happiness Reigns” with its shimmering guitar rhythm.
The riff-heavy “Quiet Girl” and plodding “Black Rainbow” recalls mid-period Oasis, but another standout is “Millennial Geishas” with its big flowing chorus and layered instrumentation. No filler here it channels Cullen’s self-loathing into a listenable indie rock statement that many will identify with. Highly Recommended.
Merry Christmas! It’s The Holiday Radio Show and more!
Listen to the Christmas show we played last Sunday on 11L Radio NY International! And if you missed any of our Christmas posts, check them out here, here and here. I’d like to thank all the artists for making such great Christmas music and making this holiday a sweet one to listen through.
Wait! There is one last gift under the Christmas music tree for you I saved… Fernando Perdomo’s Present. A lovely LP of Christmas music as a FREE download. Enjoy!
The Grip Weeds and The Cherry Drops
The Grip Weeds “Trip Around the Sun”
The Grip Weeds are easily one of the most successful power pop bands from New Jersey, featuring Rick Reil ( rhythm guitar), Kurt Reil (drummer, vocals) and his wife, Kristin Pinell Reil (lead guitar). Add to the mix, Dave DeSantis (bass) and you’ve got the complete package. The band doubles down on its musical influences from ’60s psyche-pop, hard rock, jangle and folk on this “Trip Around The Sun.”
Starting with the shimmering melody on “Vibrations” recalls 2013’s positive vibes from “Speed of Life.” It then goes to the slow-building gem “I Like Her,” and the folk-rock strums of “After Sunrise” with steel pedal accents. Psyche-pop has always been a specialty of The Grip Weeds repertoire and the groovy “Mr. Nervous” and Byrdsian “Truth Behind The Lie” stands with the band’s best work. Reil’s anthemic skills continue on the gems “Times I Wasted” and “She Tries” with its sweet harmonies and angular riffs. Overall no duds and nothing feels forced either. This is a band cruising along on a magic ride and it earns a top ten nomination for best of 2018. Highly Recommended.
The Cherry Drops “Good to the Last Drop”
On the third album from the retro-loving The Cherry Drops (Vern Shank, Josh Cobb, Jamie Markowski, and Jimmy Mason) they are joined by an array of guest stars. Ron Dante of The Archies, Dennis Tufano of The Buckinghams, Mark Dawson of The Grass Roots, Steve Boone of The Lovin’ Spoonful and the late Gary DeCarlo of Steam.
The opening “Cherry Drops Theme” features pitch-perfect Beach Boys-styled harmonies. “One More Try” is a bouncy theme that hits all the right optimistic buttons, with layered harmonies, guitars and booming percussion. “Tiger Feet” is another toe-tapper, similar to The Bay City Rollers that deserves its own custom dance moves. The band’s harmonies peak on “Feels Like Summer Love,” and “Rockin’ At The Hard Rock” with a genuine nostalgic glow and superior musicianship that really impressed me.
It’s fine that the guest stars play their respective “hits,” but a few songs do suffer from a little too much saccharine, like the Ron Dante (The Archies) led “Happynessville.” Thankfully the superior production lifts the cover material and helps make the music sound timeless. Highly Recommended.