The John Sally Ride and The Creation

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“The John Sally Ride“

The John Sally Ride “A New Set of Downs”

John Dunbar teams up with Sal Maida (Milk & Cookies) and drummer Sal Nunziato to form this solid trio. Anchored by Maida’s great bass line, Dunbar makes the best of the opener “One of These Days You’ll Have One of Those Days,” a very Kinks-like composition with kazoo and guitar flourishes. The steady rhythm of “I Didn’t Know I Was Saying Goodbye” is another gem about an unexpected break-up.

Dunbar gets stuff off his chest with “Your Closest Friends,” a rant that mentions “If you met them now for the first time you’d hate their guts.”  And easily the catchiest tune is the single we heard last month “Not Taking Credit.” Another big highlight is “The Girl You Won’t Leave Your Wife For,” with its dense melody and harmonies in the chorus. Not everything here hits the mark, but this is easily Dunbar’s most accessible work. Highly Recommended.

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“The Creation“

The Creation “Action Painting”

Back the days during the height of the Mod rock movement 1963 -1968, a handful of bands lead the way and their influences have persisted across the decades of rock and roll. The biggest bands at the time were The Who, The Small Faces, and The Kinks but a band that arguably belonged in that strata was The Creation. Produced by Shel Talmy (The Who) the band traveled in the same circles and hit it big in 1966 with “Making Time” and “Painter Man.”

The band line-up never stayed consistent, as their rotating membership contributed to the eventual breakup in 1968. But the band’s short life was profoundly influential on many artists following them including Paul Weller, Led Zeppelin, The Sex Pistol and many others. Read my full review of the new “Action Painting” CD Box set on http://www.50thirdand3rd.com

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https://youtu.be/rLPRM12ewr0

Songs that are shakin’ not stirred. Coming soon!

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Andrew Curry of Curry Cuts is always willing to produce excellent compilations and tributes. This new one is no exception. Songs. Bond Songs: The Music of 007 is the latest Curry Cuts release, and it pays tribute to that great Bond music, with some of today’s best indie pop artists – including members of Drive-By Truckers, The New Pornographers, Fountains of Wayne, and Bowling For Soup – offering updated interpretations of every Bond theme ever. Lannie Flowers does the “007 Theme” so how cool is that! But he needs your help! Contribute to the album today!

Get the detailed track list on the Kickstarter page, and check out Lisa Mychols sample track “The Man With the Golden Gun.”

The Lunar Laugh and Fancey

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“The

The Lunar Laugh  “Mama’s Boy”

The Lunar Laugh combine elements of power pop and folk rock with their signature harmonies on their much anticipated second album, Mama’s Boy. The Oklahoma City-based trio is lead by the singer/songwriter duo of Connor Anderson and Jared Lekites, assisted by Campbell Young. The title track opens with a catchy chorus about “just another kid from the suburbs” growing up without a father.

The layered folk guitars and harmonies on “Sticks and Stones” are the main stylistic sounds here, but you do get great catchy singles like the jangling “Work In Progress,” which we heard a few months ago. My favorite here “She Gets Stoned” is a modern update to a classic story about a sister that needs to “erase a worried mind.” This song will definitely get those feet tapping. Memorable tracks include “Living A Lie” that has a distinct Harry Nilsson influence with a sweet guitar break and “Take A Little Time” layers strings on top of an epic melody. The entire album stands up well to repeat listens and makes this one Highly Recommended.

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“Fancey“

Fancey ”Love Mirage”

Todd Fancey (The New Pornographers) shows us his retro-influenced love on his third LP. This album is rooted in 70’s AM pop, and the cheery opener “Baby Sunshine” evokes The Cowsills, The Free Design and similar bands, but after that it’s time to put on your boogie shoes. Vocalists Angela Kelman and Olivia Maye provide harmonies and songs like “Dream All Night” and “Witch Attack!” evoke that early disco era, without any distinct lead vocal. The album is recorded with vintage instrumentation, no computerized loops or modern synths.

For some this nostalgic exercise will be a fun change of pace from today’s over-produced pop factory. And it is, to a point. Unfortunately, the era Fancey picked to emulate is not known for memorable songwriting (until The Bee Gees or Earth, Wind and Fire came along). And it falls into the same trap as those original artists back then (like Yvonne Elliman, Andrea True, and Silver Convention) sounding contrived and very “white bread.” If you like that — good for you. But for me, it’s like finely produced elevator music.

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Exclusive: Lost power pop release from The Tomboys

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The Tomboys

The Tomboys “Sessions One”

The Tomboys were young teens when they formed and quickly took to performing and songwriting. Their local popularity spread quickly due to their catchy, melodic songs as the trio performed hundreds of local shows and concerts. They could’ve been considered South Florida’s biggest power-pop band of the ’80s. Now this “lost” band can be heard again with newly remixed and remastered recordings from their first sessions. Best of all, power popaholics the Sessions One EP is absolutely FREE. Get it here: www.thetomboysmusic.com or download through the soundcloud player below.

The Tomboys promo photo


So who were The Tomboys?

Tommy Anthony – Vocals/Guitars

Tommy took a break from music following the band’s breakup, later forming Tommy Anthony & Goza (1991) and the Four O’Clock Balloon (1997). He enjoyed varying degrees of success locally and nationally with both projects. During this time, he had begun doing studio/session work in 1993 as a vocalist and guitarist, which lead to extensive touring. After stints with Jon Secada, Steve Winwood, Gloria Estefan, Carol King and many others, he formally joined Santana in 2005, with whom he still works and tours. He lives in Miami.

Raul Malo – Vocals/Bass

Raul formed the Mavericks in 1990 after the band split up, signing a record deal with MCA and relocating to Nashville, where he still lives today. The Mavericks received various industry awards, strong press, and has been credited with creating a sound often described as equal parts Country, Zydeco, Americana and Tex-Mex. As of this writing, they are currently back together and on tour, after having taken some time off several years ago, while Raul pursued a solo career.

Joe Alonso – Drums

Joe replaced performing for a stab in the music “business”, enjoying an 18-year run following his departure from the band. He ran his own independent labels (one, fostered an Epic/CBS distribution deal and a Billboard Dance Chart hit in 1990). He later owned/operated a very successful CD/music distribution business, with vendors such as CBS/Sony, Universal, EMI-Capitol and BMG Music. Ever ambitious, he inaugurated the first School of Rock franchise in South Florida, enjoying national recognition. Presently, Joe is a direct lender in the residential and commercial sector, and also lives in Miami.

Hornal and Mothboxer

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Hornal

Hornal ”The Game Begins with the Lights Out”

Iain Hornal is a UK singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who lives in London, UK. Known as an in-demand session player for Jeff Lynne’s ELO, 10cc, and The Feeling he felt it was time to put his experience towards a solo album. He enlisted a large collective of musical talent to help polish the effort (a guest list too long display here).

Starting with “Staring At The Sky” the honey-voiced harmonies float along a cloud of synths and guitar melody. “Running Away” with added vocals from Sophie Ellis-Bextor makes for a solid adult pop chorus. “Jennifer” showcases all the influences above into another stellar single. “Caledone” shows off its ELO roots as a brilliant pop ballad and “She Doesn’t Have Anyone” is as catchy an ear-worm as anything. Much of the album is mid-tempo without a single misstep or wasted note. In fact, 10cc almost reunites here on “Say The Word” with Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley adding vocals and inspiration. It’s an amazing closer with spoken poetry midway through by actor Matt Berry (The IT Crowd). Overall one of the best albums I’ve heard this year – it’s earned a spot on my top ten list for 2017.

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https://youtu.be/G19_4IGsLX4

“Mothboxer“

Mothboxer ”The Secret Art of Saying Nothing”

Mothboxer burst onto the power pop scene ten years ago, and its still got the “goods” all these years later. Lead Moth Dave Ody continues to dazzle with the help of Robbie Burley, Phil Davies and Jon Hawes on the opener “Get It Right,” a solid anthem with a great hook. You’ll hear the clear ELO-Move influence on “Don’t Forget To Breathe” and “Everyone Knows” with its expansive echoing guitar sound.

The band does explore other styles; “Right Time To Say Goodnight” and “Rest My Mind” have more of a prog rock vibe, with the six-minute-plus “Half Light” mixing hard rock and psych-pop (reminding me of early Yes.) Toward the album’s end, it gets back on track with the Beatlesque guitar licks of “I Don’t Mind” and the title track. It’s good that Ody indulges his inner Pink Floyd, but it doesn’t compare with the catchy gems earlier on. Still a very highly recommended album.

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