Reissues: R. Stevie Moore and Jason Falkner and The Beatifics

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Jason Falkner R. Stevie Moore

R. Stevie Moore and Jason Falkner “Make It Be”

We found this hidden gem in 2015, but it has since been missing from R. Stevie Moore’s web page. The answer is that Bar None Records decided this was too good an album to remain buried, and the time was ripe for a proper release.

Check out my original review, it’s mostly the same album. But the more I listen to it the better it gets. Stevie’s more experimental side plays into Jason’s arena-friendly production techniques. With 18 tracks, it has plenty of great music that needs to be heard. And there have been rumors of a nation-spanning tour. Let’s hope these two collaborate again. Highly Recommended (once again).

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The Beatifics

The Beatifics “How I learned To Stop Worrying” (20th Anniversary remaster with bonus tracks)

The Beatifics’ brilliant debut album ‘How I Learned To Stop Worrying’ was released in 1996 and instantly caught the attention of anyone that listened. The songs matched catchy pop hooks with bittersweet lyrics that only needed to be heard once to get permanently stuck in the heads of power pop fans worldwide. The album has built up a devoted base of true believers over the years, which has made it all the more frustrating that it has been completely unavailable for years.

Grandma Camp Records has marked the 20th anniversary of this infectious masterpiece by making it available again, not only in digital form but also for the first time on vinyl. This limited edition has new liner notes by Chris Dorn and John M. Borack. It also includes a download featuring the only existing live recordings of the original band lineup, as well as rare demos of songs from pre-Beatifics band The Rockefellers.

Kool Kat Musik

Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers and Brian Jay Cline

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Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers

Andy Oliveri and the Mountaineers “Call Them Brothers”

The music slowly fades in on “Where The Wild Flowers Grow Fondly,” the layers of bass, guitar and vocals build as Oliveri’s approach is a little like a shoegazer Echo & The Bunnymen where the mood sinks in across the steady rhythm and buzzing drone. Next the big single “Sky Candy Apple” is a nod to Husker Du, although the catchy chorus and crackling textures make this a winner.

The next several tracks are more soundscapes with Oliveri’s subtle emotions interrupted by solo guitar distortions (“Ohio” is a good example).“Through The Leaves” is a romantic folk-pop gem that’s a memorable standout, so if you seek a mix of the accessible and abstract Call Them Brothers may float your boat.

Amazon


Brian Jay Cline

Brian Jay Cline “Writer’s Block”

One of the most underrated artists I can think of, Brian Jay Cline can seamlessly move from power pop to country, rock, folk and back again. This is easily the most well-rounded release by BJC. “Bomb Threats” is a solid hook-filled rock and roll melody, “Buy This Car” sounds a lot like Paul Westerberg, all about buying a used car with a rock swagger like no one else.

“Fire In The House” gleefully recreates classic 50’s rockabilly and then he slides into the sweet pop of “Paula Part Time,” recalling classic Elvis Costello. No filler throughout this release, with plenty of highlights. There is also the expected steel pedal and twangy guitar on “Stranger Than Fiction” and “The Heartbreak Moon.” Highly Recommended.

Kool Kat Musik

Friday Night Vids: Amiee Mann, Peter Holsapple and The Campbell Apartment

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Aimee Mann’s Mental Illness shows off her rich, incisive and wry melancholia in an almost all-acoustic format, with a “finger-picky” style inspired by some of her favorite ‘60s and ‘70s folk-rock records, augmented by haunting strings arranged by her longtime producer, Paul Bryan. Aimee remains a student of human behavior, drawing not just on her own experiences to form the characters in the songs but tales told by friends.

Beloved power-pop songwriter Peter Holsapple (The dB’s and Continental Drifters) is self-releasing a new vinyl 45 record, “Don’t Mention the War” b/w “Cinderella Style” on his own Hawthorne Curve Records. “Don’t Mention the War” is a poignant look at one man’s post-traumatic stress syndrome and how it affects his adoring nephew. With low, somber brass (Mark Daumann on tuba) and echoes of battles past, this is another engaging Holsapple story-song, steeped in dark emotions and vivid character assessment.

A new video from The Campbell Apartment is cause for celebration. “Something In The Way” is a refreshing and upbeat tune starring Dana Mandolesi and filmed by fantastic filmmaker Shahrzade Ehya. It was part of the band’s EP “Sundogs” which you can get on Amazon. Great stuff!

V-Sparks and Goodman

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V-Sparks

V-Sparks “New Sensation” EP

It has been a long time since this Chicago band has had some new music. The group is lead by Alan Lewis (Vocals, Keys) and Prescott Kagan (Vocals, Guitar) are joined by Zach Duran (Guitar), Sam Libretti(Bass),and Adam Long (Drums). What follows is a dizzying amount of rock n’ roll energy and pop smarts similar to The Strokes and Vampire Weekend. “Hey Love” is a hyper-catchy anthem similar to Locksley’s “The Whip.” But it’s no one-hit wonder, as each tune mines the best earworms of the past, as “New Sensation” slowly builds from synth beats and keys into a riff heavy gem similar to The Cars.

More impressive is the glam punk “Death of Star” with wild dramatic guitars, strings, and piano, bringing to mind Queen meeting Green Day. You’ll hear the T-Rex/Bowie strut in “Sebastian,” with Brian May guitars ringing along. It effortlessly blends the old and new without sounding like a cheap homage. Each song is a winner and my only beef is that it’s merely a 6-song EP. Get’s my first nod to the top ten EP list of 2017. Get this one!

Amazon

Goodman

Goodman “Vicissitudes”

NYC’s Michael Goodman is back after a year-long break with a new LP. The title is defined as “a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.” Despite the amateurish cover art,  “She Sez” is a deceptively brilliant opener that moves from dissonance to melodic rock quickly, with its fuzz guitars picking up the catchy chorus. But it’s also clear these are break-up songs, “Modern Girl” talks of “misdirected rage and sexual anxiety.”

Each song is well-structured, as Goodman has found his sound here on “Weathervane” a mix of anthemic melody and post-rock distortion. Lots of highlights here; “Hourglass,” the catchy bass backbeat and handclaps of “Hiccup” and the Velvet Underground meets Brit-pop gem “Love Alone.” Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Pop Co-Op and Paul McCann

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Pop Co-Op

Pop Co-Op “Four State Solution”

A group of like-minded musicians from different geographic locations decided to make a power pop album. Not a new idea, as 8×8 and The Britannicas have done this very effectively. The results are dependent on the musicians involved. Steve Stoeckel (The Spongtones) is joined by Bruce Gordon, Stacy Carson, Joel Tinnel, and others so the spirit and influences are good (Beatles, XTC, Squeeze, etc.)

What you get is a mixed bag of great and not-so-great tunes. “If Everything Was Easy” and “Feint of Heart” have fast-paced pop melodies. But it does venture into different directions, from long psychedelic “Lila,” to the very messy “When Wave Was New.” Ultimately there are some singles that shine, like “Malaprop” and the Who-like “It Aint Easy Being A Boy.” Definitely worth exploring.

CD Baby | Amazon

Paul McCann

Paul McCann “The Magician” EP

Paul McCann is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from County Cavan, Ireland. Paul has been singing and playing various instruments in bands since 1996 (including power pop band ‘The Plan’ and highly acclaimed Johnny Cash tribute ‘Get Rhythm’) and has performed with Pugwash, The Strypes, Duncan Maitland, and Nelson Bragg (Brian Wilson Band/Beach Boys), among others.

While not new, I was pleasantly surprised by the catchy opener “Keep The Devil Within” and richly melodic ballad “All The Words You Say.” The title track is more a blues rocker with an atmospheric alt. pop stadium approach and “Widow Maker Blues” is a banjo lead blues song featuring Majella O’Reilly on vocals. His style has everything power pop fans could want and more, so while Paul works on his follow up we have this short EP to make sure he stays on your radar.

Amazon