The Real Numbers and Brent Seavers
The Real Numbers “Thank You”
San Franciso’s power pop band The Real Numbers has been a fixture in the indie scene for over 12 years, but this new album has a special meaning. It was originally lost in a tragic computer accident; the story is in detail here. But despite the setbacks, the band got this done and added some ex-Jellyfish to play on it (Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and Tim Smith).
Dave Ambrose and Lawrence Grodeska are the main collaborators here, along with Chuck Lindo (bass) and Robert John Tucker (drums). The enthusiasm is palpable on the horn-lead “Lucy’s in Love.” But even better is “I Love To Sing,” a sweet musical biography. Stylistically, The Real Numbers are akin to The Barenaked Ladies, Fountains of Wayne, and Andrew Gold. They even cover Gold’s hit “Thank You For Being A Friend.”
“Lydia Pinkham” is a very Jellyfish-styled tune with its swirling psyche-pop touches. “Sorry for the Mess” is a big highlight here, a message for future generations apologizing for screwing up the environment. The brilliant composition and musicianship make it my favorite song here. The introspective “News of the Day” and “Hello World” are wistful observations, and despite the bouncy optimism in the melodies, there is a sense of sadness mixed with nostalgia. Overall, a great album that’s highly recommended, and a name-your-price download. You can’t ask for more!
Brent Seavers “Exhibit B”
Brent Seavers (The Decibels) has driving energy on his opener, “Roller Coaster Ride,” as the riff weaves up and down the scale. Brent lists The Beatles, The Jam, The Primitives, The Plimsouls, and The Monkees among his favorite bands. Overall, the album has a tight sound, yet each song is unique, taking the listener on a whirlwind tour of the multi-colored power pop universe.
More varied stylistically than The Decibels or his first solo outing, the song compositions are terrific. “Evolves” is a catchy gem with weaving harmonies and a killer guitar solo. The story songs that stick fast include “The Noble Cause,” “No Perfect Way,” and “Til It’s Over.” There are some overt nods to the ’60s mod (“Fuzz Off” is pretty obvious), but it’s not a retro-dominated album. Timeless and highly recommended. Keep on going, Brent!
Marching on more EPs and Singles: Kanak, The Second Summer, Round Corners, Nerd Magnet, Tony Low, Big City
Wesley Fuller and Ducks Ltd.
Wesley Fuller “All Fuller No Filler”
We all knew Perth-born, Melbourne-based Wesley Fuller’s follow-up to Inner City Dream would be good. Wesley was kind enough to be interviewed about this album while promoting the singles earlier this year. But from the opening chords of “Back to Square One,” you can see that his songwriting has improved exponentially. With the casual retro synth-pop of “Alamein Line,” or “The House of Love,” and the guitar riffs of “The Velvet Affair,” Wes takes the late ’70s influences and builds from that point.
Even though Wesley looks a lot like Jeff Lynne—and Lynne’s influence is palpable in several of the songs—there’s a lot more happening here that reveals itself after repeated listening. “Look No Further” takes a distant piano rhythm and turns it into magic with a loaded chorus of harmonies. Like the promise in the name of his record, there’s nothing here that feels like filler. Highly recommended and an early nominee for 2024’s top ten!
Ducks Ltd. “Harm’s Way”
In the same vein as power pop, jangle pop is an adjacent subgenre of music that has a timeless quality. Bands like REM, The Smiths, and Echo and the Bunnymen reimagined what the Byrds started in the 1960s in the late 1980s. Canadian band Ducks Ltd. follows the tradition of combining sparkling, jangly guitars with crisp vocals and thoroughly melodic songwriting. The duo of singer-guitarist Tom McGreevy and guitarist Evan Lewis take great pains to make these songs stick.
“Hollowed Out” really does remind me of those college-era bands; The Ocean Blue or The Mighty Lemon Drops, without the psychedelic aftertaste. “The Main Thing” is another song that chugs away with a zippy chorus and a fast rhythm. Most of the songs hit that nostalgic mark, and this is another highly recommended album.
RIP: Eric Carmen and Karl Wallinger
Eric Carmen
We lost another legend. Eric Carmen, the lead singer of The Raspberries, whose soulful voice and electrifying stage presence defined an era of 1970s rock and roll, passed away on March 12, 2024, at 75. Carmen’s voice soared above the driving rhythms and catchy tunes as the lead singer of The Raspberries. His raw emotion and undeniable charisma captivated audiences. He was one of the best rock singer-frontmen ever because of how he moved on stage and how his voice sounded.
With hits like “Go All the Way,” “I Wanna Be with You,” and “Overnight Sensation (Hit Record),” The Raspberries became one of the first bands to define what power-pop music sounds like. Beyond his work with The Raspberries, Carmen enjoyed a successful solo career, releasing a string of hit singles, including “All by Myself” and “Hungry Eyes.” He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Karl Wallinger
Karl Wallinger, the visionary force behind the band World Party, died at 67. He also performed with The Waterboys and did a lot of soundtrack work. Wallinger has left a legacy of enduring songs with his unusual rock, pop, and folk blend. With hits like “Ship of Fools” and “Way Down Now,” Wallinger demonstrated his knack for crafting infectious melodies and insightful lyrics that resonated with audiences worldwide. My favorite album of his was Goodbye Jumbo.
Writer Bob Lefsetz wrote a fitting tribute for both artists here.