Trolley and The High Llamas

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Trolley

Trolley “Caught In The Darkness”

Milwaukee band Trolley continues it’s charge forward bringing 60’s inspired pop into the modern era.  This is the strongest effort to date, as the title track hits all the right notes, with solid support from organ and drums. A big highlight is “Thursday Girl,” with a combination of groovy retro synth and solid melody. Mod elements on “Crying All The Time” give way to a Byrdsian chorus that also meshes perfectly.

If it leans too hard on the retro conventions, it always seems to throw a curve in the melody or instrumentation like on “She Has It All.” But any shortcomings on some songs are overcome by the enthusiastic compositions, which never get predictable. Another gem “Losing That Madly In Love With Her Feeling” boast a good harmony in the chorus, and even goes a slightly punk on “The Kids All Sing.” Even the weird filler at the end of album is interesting.  I’m proud to list this as my first pick for the 2016 best-of  list.

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High Llamas

The High Llamas “Here Come The Rattling Trees”

Sean O’Hagan is back with another easy listening album, with all its wonderful subtleties and his influences are still mainly Brian Wilson, with a touch of Steely Dan. This narrative-driven project is broken up in several parts, with the main theme (title track) being lush and low key minimalist pop.

The vocals are in several songs, but most of this album is instrumental, with underscores all showing up first. “Brambles Black” is has a soothing bossa nova rhythm, with light synths and slow organ of “Mona’s Song” is another gem. Overall, this is what you’d expect from O’Hagan, his meticulous folk lounge music is meant to remain a sweet background soundtrack to your life.

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Dany Laj and Wilson

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Dany Laj and The Looks

Dany Laj and The Looks “Word On The Street”

Dany Laj is a Canadian rocker with a power pop punk style similar to early Nick Lowe, Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello. “Small Town Kid” is a great example of Dany as a “rebel armed with power chords and a pawn shop electric” with a pub rock heart. “I Know You Want Out” is a bit more punk, with a fast tempo and a battle cry with each riff.

The short staccato riffs on “Mr. Rebound” and bass line breaks on “We Know” are sharp and simple perfection. It does miss the target with the reggae-styled “Where’s The Love” and western themed “Killing The Pleasure.” But there is enough here to make this an enjoyable album, plus Dany is currently touring with the “King of Power Pop” Paul Collins. So he’s sure to pick up a few things – keep an eye on this future star!

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Wilson

Wilson “Old School, New Rules”

This quartet from Dorset, UK is made up of singer-songwriter-guitarist Steve Wilson, keyboardist Chris Rickard, bassist Simon Felton (Garfield’s Birthday), and drummer Tim Wheeler. Starting with “Long Road” its those easy going harmonies that soothe with nostalgic magic. Next the love song “Pretty Girl In A Small Town” is a wistful look back at an early heartbreak.

Fans of late era Beach Boys and America will appreciate its simple harmonies and light instrumentation on “Silver Lining.” In fact “Waiting for Your Turn” is perfect lazy Sunday music. On the albums second half things get stretched a bit too long. But if you’re into mellow pop, this one’s a keeper.

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Eytan Mirsky and Field Music

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“Golden

Eytan Mirsky “Funny Money”

Eytan Mirky has long been a strong writer of pop songs that explore insecurity and hopeless love. Starting with “I’m Gonna Fight It” its got a bluesy hook that recalls a small scale Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe or Jonathan Richman about the everyman struggles with a “one true love.” The laid back pop smarts of “Somebody Played A Joke on Me” is almost like a Jimmy Buffet hit single, with a sweet guitar break by Jon Gordon. Its about small victories, as he tells a friend “You Got It Made” and recognizing the wrong girl in “I Saw Something In You.” Even tender ballads like “Watching Dawson’s Creek” are great, as it relates an old relationship to an old TV show. In a rare moment, “Good Hair Day” is an uncharacteristically happy and buoyant song that urges you to seize the day. These are all solid gems and most of these songs hit the mark. Super highly recommended.

Kool Kat Musik | Amazon


“Golden

Field Music “Commontime”

Field Music has never been a band that grabs your attention immediately, but the clinical musicianship mixed with nerd quirkiness shows occassional flashes of genius. The brothers David and Peter Brewis seem intent on experimenting here. The opener “The Noisy Days are Over” is a great microcosm of the band as a whole, with inventive percussive effects, a solid melody and a grand theme. You will hear influences from David Bowie, Todd Rundgren and the Talking Heads. “Disappointed” is a funky single that sounds like a lost 80’s classic, and the deliberate horn flourishes and piano melody on “But Not For You” bring to mind Steely Dan in its prime. “I’m Glad” has a warped time signature that few can make a single from. But its the meticulousness of their melodic structure that have won over a small cult of audiophiles. Some great examples include “They Want You To Remember” and “Indeed It Is.” The album could have used some editing, but overall its a rare treat. Highly Reccomended.

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Friday Videos: OKGO, George Usher and Skeleton Staff

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OKGO_gravity
OKGO is back to making viral videos that you can’t avoid. “Upside Down Inside Out” is exclusive to Facebook and Okgo.net – no youtube embeds yet. The band choreographs zero gravity acrobatics to the music.

Great photo montage video “Not The Trembling’ Kind” from the master, George Usher. From the upcoming compilation “George Usher -The End And The Beginning 1990-2009” Learn more about this song on George’s Blog.

A long time in the making using Disney styled animation techniques “I Told You I was Poor” is the first standout track from Skeleton Staff album “Psychomorphism”.

Tribute To Sloan and Rude Awakening

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Dany Laj

Various Artists “If it Feels Go Do it: Tribute To Sloan”

The amazing thing about this tribute is that most of Sloan’s songs aren’t as well known or played out as other more popular artists (i.e. Beatles) and this frees the artist from adhering to a strict interpretation. Also Sloan has some gorgeous compositions that fit perfectly with these artists, and its sure to draw attention.

Stereo Tiger not only starts us off with “C’mon C’mon (We’re Gonna Get It Started),” the band is also offering up a quick EP of added covers FREE here. Andy Reed crushes “I Love A Long Goodbye” and The Dead Girls delivers a solid take on “Friendship.” Lots of today’s best artists contribute: Fireking, Chris Richards, Nick Piunti, Pop4, etc. I could continue to list favorites, but with 31 tracks this post would go on too long. Simply stated this is the best tribute album of 2016 so far! So get it from our friends at Futureman Records!

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Rude Awakening “Rude Awakening”

Rude Awakening was formed in Winnsboro, TX in 1985 and disbanded in 1989. They were never signed to a record label, thus never released an official CD, but the band members (Jim Richey, Jeff Hamm, Kenny Swann and Jeffrey Galloway) continued to play together eventually becoming The Pozers. The band specialized in guitar rock based on ’70s and ’80s similar to Cheap Trick, Kiss, AC/DC and Van Halen.

Its worth noting that the musicianship here is solid and the era is re-created perfectly. “First Impression” really rocks out and “One More Cry” sound like lost hits from the proto-metal hair band era. Ballads like “For Angie” and “Traci” remind me of Extreme a little and the speed-metal “Leather and Lace” pulls out all the stops as the drummer goes wild. The album stays stylistically consistent throughout and even if they do go past the four minute mark on songs, it sounds like the band is having fun. “17” is a dead ringer for a lost Kiss single, and you’ll find plenty of favorites to add to your listening mix.

CD Baby | Amazon