International Pop Overthrow Vol.20

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IPO Vol.20

When I started reviewing IPO compilations, it was always a special time of year to listen to the new talent that IPO’s David Bash found throughout the globe. And over the past 20 years, IPO has grown to encompass 14 festivals all over the world. From New York to Tel Aviv it has become an institution in the power pop milieu, and a rite-of-passage for many artists seeking a dedicated fan base.

Disc 1:
The Top Boost starts us off with the impressive “What If She Loves You,” but many more good songs are here, my early favorites include Lannie Flowers “Kiss A Memory,” Diamond Hands “Just Another Day” and the Beatlesque “I Don’t Know You Now” by Slyboots. Some interesting debuts too; The Harriets “The Hangers On,” the jangling Lunchbox “Everybody Knows” and  The Shamus Twins “You’ll Never Take Her Heart.” If you enjoy 10cc, you’ll love “My Soft Rock Girlfriend” by Blake Jones & The Trike Shop.

Disc 2:
The jangle-tastic Jimmy Haber’s “Chelsea” injects some fresh energy here, but the rookies are what stand out a bit more. Steve Rosenbaum gives us the rare love song for married folk “Kiss My Wife,” the new band Nine Violets “I Will Let You Down” is a catchy gem, and The Tearaways do a damn fine turn on “That’s Rock!” Many bands have those classic ’60s influences, like The Vinylos, Shplang, and New Mystery Girl. Others lean more towards modern folk-pop like Sue Hedges “Two Nearly Touching Hearts,” or Swiss rockers Jengi get more garage-style on “Rod Stewart.”

Disc 3:
The variety is more apparent as the discs are pretty equal in quality, even though by the time we get to the third disc the names are less familiar. Starting with the great harmonies of Crickle’s psyche-pop “Penelope Please” and then Caper Clown’s bouncy “Pockets,” both sound very fresh. More standouts include Leslie Pereira and The Lazy Heroes “Fly Like A Bird,” the very cool sound of The JetBeats “Top Of The Line,” and the glammy Viewers Of “Who’ll Be The One.” Some selections do push the boundaries of the genre, where you really can’t say they represent power pop at all. But the musical quality is what makes this collection an improvement over last year. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Chris Hillman “Bidin’ My Time”

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Chris Hillman

Chris Hillman “Bidin’ My Time”

Chris Hillman is back with a stunning new album, representing his first solo set after a 12-year hiatus. This album showcases his undiminished talent, which he never received quite enough attention for, and finally places him firmly in the limelight. In recent interviews, he is quoted as saying that he figured the recording part of his career was finished, but this album came about because he simply had some songs that he hadn’t yet recorded. And boy are we glad to have him back in the studio.

The Tom Petty-produced album was released in mid-September 2017 and opens with a familiar tune: a refreshing new version of “The Bells of Rhymney”, which was taken from the Byrd’s 1965 debut “Mr. Tambourine Man”, but it has been transformed into a song that represents fading dreams and deepest wishes; a nostalgia that is heard in every track that follows. Hillman is clearly focusing on his own musical past, expressing his love for music and very easily invoking that feeling in the listener.

His artistic ability shines through as we work our way through a series of tracks in various musical styles but with plenty of examples of the Hillman we all know and love from past decades when he was influenced by bands like the Eagles during his Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers days. “Walk Right Back” has clearly taken influence from The Everly Brothers, with gentle melodies reminiscent of Don and Phil in their prime.

Power pop fans may argue that this is not an album that falls within the genre, and technically, not all of it does. But tracks such as the catchy “Here She Comes Again” make it the essential material for die-hard fans as the backing band create the perfect power pop pacing, and several other tracks push the boundaries of the genre. As a complete package though, it seems to be lacking cohesion as Hillman works his way through so many (possibly too many) genres; the full range that he has experimented with throughout his career, without dwelling on one in particular for too long. Perhaps unless you’re a huge Hillman or Byrds fan (and let’s face it, this is the closest you’re going to get to a reunion) and what you really want is a “best of” album, you might find yourself longing for a singular statement.

Amazon

Chris Lund, Rich McCulley and The Spinto Band

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Chris Lund

Chris Lund “Great Event Syndrome”

Chris Lund is best known for his work with Lund Bros, who have an impressive discography of excellent guitar-oriented rock, so it’s no surprise that Great Event Syndrome boasts all the right influences. Although a DIY record was done in his home studio, it sounds amazing due to Lund’s attention to detail.”Tell Me” is a very Cheap Trick-styled opener with its thick guitar hooks and overlapping solos. “The Path” is loaded with musical ideas and almost prog styled, anchored by the acoustic strum and “Glimpse” is a solid Badfinger styled rocker with a jangling chorus and sizzling solo. But the golden nugget here is “700 Miles,” a perfect amalgam of Beatles/Big Star sound, and one of the best songs of the year IMHO.

Chris packs a lot into each song, so repeat listens are required to fully appreciate the juxtaposition of chords, solos, and harmonies. The next several tracks all have great moments, especially “Remember The Daze” with its reminiscing chorus and terrific solo break. Other standouts include “What’s Her Name,” the Led Zeppelin-like folk song “The Juice” and dense pop closer “Fare Well.” Overall, a great power pop album that is highly recommended.

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Rich McCulley

Rich McCulley “Out Along The Edges”

Roots rocker Rich McCulley is still finding new inspiration as he writes of both love and loss, good and not so good, hard and better times. With his distinctive gravelly voice, he opens with the emotional “Hey Trouble” about the “broken ties that bind” and the fine guitar melody of “Eventually” really grows on you.

The strong “Burn A Hole In The Sky” recalls Tom Petty with its defiant attitude. McCulley leaves his Americana style and tries blues-pop on “Pilot,” jangle pop on “Sinking Sun” and the brilliant look back at NYC “Midtown” and wondering where all the record stores are. Another satisfying album that deserves to be heard. 

CD Baby | Amazon

The Spinto Band

Re-issue Spotlight:
 The Spinto Band “Nice and Nicely Done”

Wilmington, Delaware’s The Spinto Band is possibly planning a comeback, but in the meanwhile it has re-issued 2006’s Nice and Nicely Done, chock full of B-sides and rare tracks. Their geeky pop sound has been influenced by The Talking Heads, and fans of Field Music, They Might Be Giants and Neural Milk Hotel will enjoy the quirky energy.

Vocalist Nick Krill does have a David Byrne-like vocal he uses to great effect on the mandolin heavy “Oh Mandy.” A lot of highlights, including “Crack the Whip,” “Direct to Helmet” and Pavement-like “Trust Vs. Mistrust.” If you missed it back then, I would revisit it now as it has aged very well. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Freebie Friday: The Tomboys, J Eastman, Wazonek, Scott Brookman

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The Tomboys are back with Session Two, another blast from the past. The Florida band has released more music from its ’80s vault. Best of all this is a FREE download, check out the video “You’re The One.”

Minneapolis, MN band  J Eastman and The Drunk Uncles are heavily influenced by The Replacements, Wilco and REM. With a solid guitar lead and Eastman’s distinctive vocal, check out “On Your Dime” a pretty anachronistic expression. They have a full-length LP too called No Capo Required from 2016 that’s just awesome. “Drink To Myself” is the lost hit Southern Culture On the Skids never had. Oh yeah, it’s all FREE downloads.

Vancouver multi-instrumentalist and producer Adam Wazonek delivers an easy going gem here. Like America, The Eagles or other ’70s styled bands, it has clean melodies and simple arrangements that are just a delight. Check out “Christine” and the very Steely Dan-ish “Easy Love.” The wah-wah strings on “I’d Like To Know” is just pure Seals & Crofts. Actually, it’s tough to find a note of filler here. Highly Recommended and a FREE download.

Scott Brookman returns with a sequel to his successful LP Smellicopter. Another master of melody with subtle and sparse instrumentation, “Consideration” is influenced by Something/Anything era Todd Rundgren and the fun “Three Doors Down” has a very 10cc-like composition. This EP isn’t free, but for a mere $5.00 it’s worth getting.

FYI: INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW NYC IS HERE!

Dave Bash welcomes an assortment of wonderful artists out to Bar Matchless in Brooklyn. It started Thursday and goes on all weekend. We will be reviewing the new IPO compilation next week!

The Nines and Dave Keegan

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The Nines

The Nines “Colour Radio (American Transistor)”

Steve Eggers (aka The Nines) is back in pop music mode. Joining Steve again is Bill Majoros (the Foreign Films) on guitar as they deliver a diverse selection of styles. Eggers style has always been influenced by ELO, and on “Crazy Little Girl” he almost copies the intro to “Do Ya” but goes in a heavier direction with a rougher vocal. It still has the catchy multi-tracked chorus, but sounds closer to The Move with Majoros fuzzy flourishes. Much more familiar is “Maybe If You Stayed”  with its sweet melody line and Steve sounding wistful as ever, even as he climbs into falsetto. And the lovely “For a Lifetime” is a piano lullaby reminiscent of Gershwin.

It’s everything Nines fans love, but Steve goes in different directions to keep things fresh. “On and On She Gets By” is a fun musical number about a girl, done with a barroom styled piano, harmonica, and a strutting synth line following a Randy Newmanesque lyric. Steve also goes funky with a Stevie Wonder-styled Moog Clavier and goes all in on “You Can Get More Than This” and  “Don’t Be Losing Your Game.” Not everything sticks, and there are amounts of so-so filler to keep the “radio” theme (like we never heard The Who’s “Sell Out”?) However there is more than enough to make this album highly recommended. Includes the holiday single “Believe In Christmas.”

CD Baby

Dave Keegan

Dave Keegan “Dave Keegan”

Englishman Dave Keegan is a former Elvis impersonator, almost became a Cambridge University teacher, and somehow dived into making this album at his home studio. But this doesn’t sound like a casual DIY setup. “Hello” is fuzz and reverb-drenched gem with Keegan’s crisp vocals, very much in the mould of The Posies.

Like many creative souls, he is simply compelled to make music, and sing about it on the very auto-biographical “Under Your Skin,” about “just a fan” knowing The Beatles “by heart / every note / every bar / every glorious part of their golden reign.” Next comes “Fizzbomb” leading with an infectious guitar riff, and the folksy English “Harbour City Blues.” Keegan’s vocal style is like Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) or Nick Lowe in spots. Another highlight is the bouncy “Get Me A Girl” with its optimistic breezy melody. The acoustic compositions dominate on the album’s second half, with the impressive “Out of Tune” as a great mood piece, but some of the slower tunes feel more like sketches here. Overall a fine debut from a talent I hope we hear more from in the future.

Amazon