Lost Treasures Found: Peach and Lee
Peach and Lee “Not For Sale 1965-1975”
This is truly a lost power pop treasure. Peach & Lee’s new double album, “Not For Sale,” is the result of ten years of work by Arlis Peach and Larry Lee, who have been best friends since childhood and grew up in Iowa together. They became deeply interested in rock and roll in the 1950s and were writing and recording their music by the mid-1960s. They got signed to RCA Records in 1972, and a single was released, but things never took off. Thankfully, they saved the tapes!
This release compiles all their output, a full 27 tracks. The band follows in the footsteps of The Beatles and The Hollies, evident in their opener, “Long Way to Go,” with churning guitars and solid harmonies. The comparisons to Badfinger are stunning here, especially on “Not For Sale,” “It’s Up To You,” “No Way Baby,” and “Do It Again,” including its handclaps and its infectious lead guitar.
A more basic, echoing early Beatles sound is clear on “Never Made the Grade” and “Down.” The catchy, simple lead in “Paradise” recalls the Hollies. “Help Yourself” and “Don’t Be Looking My Way” are very much in the Emmit Rhodes mold.
The band tries rocking harder (almost glam) on “You Ain’t Got Me Running” and “The Other Night.” The dramatic ballads “Can’t Let Go” and “Love Is On Our Side” are solid standouts.
The source material limits a few songs, such as “So Badly” and “Ooh Baby,” whose production is subpar. In addition, there are plenty of beautiful misses and demos here, but by any standard, this is a tremendous success. You wonder why these guys never made it big, but we finally have them 50 years later. Highly Recommended.
Power Popaholic Interview: Blue Broderick
Blue Broderick
I had a quick chat with singer/songwriter Blue Broderick from the band Diners. Mo Troper produced this new album, “Domino,” and Blue certainly knows how to play a hook. Full review here.#powerpop #diners #rockandroll #interview 🎸 Listen below:
Parthenon Huxley and Matt Tiegler
Parthenon Huxley “As Good As Advertised”
Parthenon Huxley, aka P. Hux, has been a reliable musician known for his melodic gifts and his meticulous production work. The gentle strum of the chords for the title track showcases the mature and rich musical palette Partheon uses here. Most of the songs were created during the pandemic years, and the mood is decidedly downbeat. The passionate anxiety of “Mister Black Sky,” seeks to banish venomous politicians from the atmosphere with its hopeful message that “in the light you die” and “Uncivil War” are about the partisan media stoking hate between the factions.
It’s all very understated, but the inventive melody of “Rainbow” redeems the song from easy listening purgatory. The personal ballad “This Song Reminds Me of You” is a lovely sentiment, associating a moment in time with a favorite tune and a Spanish-styled guitar break midway through. “Human Again” is written in anticipation of COVID restrictions being lifted. “When will normal ever feel like normal?” he asks. Most of these songs do not carry the ELO orchestral style that P. Hux has been associated with, except for the excellent “Bitter Tears.” However, there is enough here to make this highly recommended.
Matt Tiegler “Hands Free Down Hill”
Matt Tiegler is a multitalented artist from Chicago who writes plays, acts, and occasionally records his own music. Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tommi Zender was in charge of producing this new album and collaborated on many songs here. Opening with the bright guitars and vocals of “Dream (Reason for Living),” it has a good structure that sets up the chorus nicely. There is a light mood full of earnest emotion on “I Didn’t Get You” and the jangling “I Want Start A Religion With You.” While Matt’s voice isn’t classically melodic, it suits the quirky subject matter fine.
Tiegler’s great songwriting is what makes the whole album work. The simple love story of “Summer Love Song” and the awkward “Forward” are wonderfully realized. The exuberant power pop guitar on the title track, “Hands Free Down Hill,” will stay in your head, and it would be a much better album with more of these gems. It remains a good album that deserves to be heard.
Power Popaholic Interview: Wesley Fuller
Wesley Fuller
We chat with Australian power pop musician Welsey Fuller. He’s planning a new release soon with “All Fuller No Filler” and singles have been leaking these past few months. 🎸 Listen below:Check out more Wesley Fuller here