Brandon Schott and One Like Son

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Brandon Schott

Brandon Schott “Crayons & Angels”

Brandon Schott has always been an artist who knows better than most how to set the mood. After the great Verdugo Park EP, he’s expanded this into a full album with the help of Andrew Curry, Andy Reed and Jason Wormer. The childlike innocence of the instrumental “Dandelion” leads into the album’s biggest song “Henry,” a richly layered portrait of a boyhood optimism, complete with harmonies, horns and toy piano. “Cerulean Seas” is another like-minded song that sails along, as most compositions here are strongly influenced by Pet Sounds and Sir McCartney. Another gem is “Every Little Song,” a beautiful duet with Kelly Jones, where the melody twists with each key change.

Plenty of instrumental filler is found between many songs, tying the theme together but I suspect they are more snippets that didn’t fit elsewhere (“Sunglow”) and this make the albums middle a bit lightweight. However many strong compositions remain like “Seeing You In Stereo” and “Dear Daisy” is a catchy guitar led melody. The grand “Wisteria” is an exceptionally good atmospheric instrumental, and the wonderful “Dandelion Rain” is the best love song I’ve heard this year. Add to this the Elvis Costello cover “Riot Act” and you’ve got a winner. Highly Recommended.

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One Like Son

One Like Son “Classic”

While the novelty of a debut recorded on an iphone has passed, One Like Son (aka Stephen Poff) continues to pump out some great music from his Montgomery, AL studio. “As Seen on TV” has that big repeating riff, and a memorable melody. “Down To Hollywood” follows the Cheap Trick template, and the casual “Summer Days” reminded me of Extreme’s acoustic pop. Overall, the music seems more hard rock oriented than past releases.

“A Praise Song” is like a superhero theme from a Christian rock band, with its buzzsaw sound and an infectious bounce. Not everything flows as smoothly; some metal guitar indulgences are tiresome (“Borderline” and “It Knocks Me Out”) and the lack of any ballads makes this 13 track album a heavy lift. Stephen does sprinkle in some good songs, like the mid-tempo “Five Good Years” and energetic “Whispers” to end things. Give it a try, and you’ll find a favorite tune within.

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Salim Nourallah and Duncan C

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Salim Nourallah

Salim Nourallah “Skeleton Closet”

In this self-funded album, Salim explores beyond the confines of last years brilliant “Hit Parade.” Starting with  “Dead Man’s Stare” Salim’s weary voice bleeds resignation with simple guitar strums and percussive effects. The melancholy approach recalls The Eels’ Mark Oliver Everett and its carried throughout the album.

“Crocodiles” is the very definition of a cautious tale about reptiles (human or not) and “don’t be fooled by those toothy grins” and Salim transforms into the Texas version of Ray Davies on the wonderful gems “Terlingua” and “Permanent Holiday.” The latter is an ear-worm that is like the devil on your shoulder encouraging you to go off the grid, as he says “When you gonna do it…” “Prisoner” is another tale of heartbreak, with “Two Years” showing our protagonist alone with an infant after the death of his loved one. The depth of emotion on tracks like “The Bullies Are Back” and “2 Lizards” recall Pink Floyd in spots and a little Jim Morrison comes through on the finale “To The Desert.” Highly Reccomended.

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Cloud Eleven

C Duncan”Architect”

This impressive debut from classically trained musician Christopher Duncan was created alone in his bedroom in Scotland. Duncan’s “Architect” boasts layered harmonies, chamber pop of the highest order mixing lo-fi and slick production together. The spacey pop of “Say” is deceptively catchy with its chanting chorus. This ghostly choral is used to great effect on “Silence and Air” and “He Believes in Miracles,” but what made me sit up and made me take notice was the signature gem “Garden.” Using a fast tempo plucking rythym, it builds and runs along with an urgency that is totally infectious – it’s one of my favorite songs this year.

The follow up “Here To There” has elements of late 80’s pop (The Cure, Orchestral Maneuvers in The Dark) and after “By” the album slips into a more atmospheric, less melodic phase redeemed by the plaintive ballad “I’ll Be Gone By Winter.” Overall this is a good artisan styled pop album worth exploring.

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Cloud Eleven and The Inexperienced

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Cloud Eleven “Record Collection”

Cloud Eleven (aka Rick Gallego) has been a reliable figure in power pop since the late ’90s, and although he’s mellowed he remains a potent talent. Rick honors his musical heroes (and his collection of vintage vinyl) on this new obviously-named album. Nelson Bragg drums on all the songs, and we’ve got assists from a top-tier crew with Probyn Gregory, Seth Swirsky and Rick Hromadka among others.

The Beatles-Beach Boys styled opening track with horns and swirling organs on the title track talks about the effort of the artist just hoping to be “played once in a while.” While this is catnip to a power pop fan, it leads to the dream-like melody of “The Mystic’s Mistake” full of subtle psychedelics and layered instrumentation. “Too Soon Was Yesterday” is an obvious nod to the Burt Bacharach’s heyday and the echoing piano melody “40 Below” adds Seth Swirsky’s solid guitar solo. “Indian Guru” is exactly what you think it is – full of sitar, bongos, and tabla drum, but my favorite track is “A Sadness In Sorry,”  a Zombies styled melody with a gorgeous harmony-filled hook. Highly recommended, and worthy of your music collection (vinyl, CD or Mp3.)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QTk3KIy3A

The Inexperienced

The Inexperienced “Too Inexperienced”

The Inexperienced are a London-based act and the creative outlet for Alex Meadows (Jamiroquai, Tom Jones). The straight on pop of “Something To Sing” has an easy going chorus and strong guitar hook. “528Hz” is a bright multi-tracked vocal full of positive vibes, and then Alex dives off head first into prog rock land.

“Microwaving” is a smooth composition that recalls The Alan Parson Project. “No Yeah” adds horns and deep ‘70s bass like a Sly Stone one-off, while “the Shorten Suite” has several melodies combined with an energetic rant against McDonalds fast food. The trippy “Inventor Preventer” uses an electronic talk box and “Real Life Situation” uses funky synth effects to enhance things, the rhythms recall ’80s Herbie Hancock in spots! “Take Me Home” is a gem of a sing along and Alex throws all sorts of instruments into this album, making the combinations a lot of fun to listen to. A real grower of an album, no experience needed! Thanks again to Pink Hedgehog Records for this find.

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More from the Ice Cream Man

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Wayne Lundqvist Ford (Ice Cream Man) strikes again! This new compilation of Power Pop, Mod, Surf, Punk, New Wave, and Northern Soul hits the spot with a whopping one hundred and eight tracks! Not everything may be to your taste, but there are plenty of great songs here, my favorites include; The Click Beetles “Try Girl, Adam Marsland “Something For Nothing,” and Nick Piunti “Heart Stops Beating.” Obviously too many goodies to list here – just listen for yourself. Best of all this sampler is absolutely FREE. Yup, a free download so get it now!

 

Also featured artists Eric Barao “On Holiday,” and The Thigh Highs “Carrol Gardens” will be appearing live at Power Popaholic Fest this September!

 

The Fad and Vanilla

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The Fad

The Fad “The Now Sound”

Rescued from certain oblivion, this early 80’s Philadelphia three-piece Mod/Power Pop group dressed in “Star Trek” styled outfits is a very rare gem indeed. The Fad released a 6 song EP record and faded into obscurity, with lead singer songwriter Frank Max eventually going on to join The Beat Rats.

Kool Kat Musik has produced this collection of 12 original recordings of the band from 1982-1985 that are clearly rooted in the British Mod Revival movement. The tight Rickenbacker jangle and hooks on “Where The Colors Are” is a real treat and “Watch The Sky” is a perfect Invasion-styled jam, like The Association meets Roger McGuinn. The ’80s style comes through on “Countdown” and “Broken Hearts” which sounds like a mix between The Beach Boys and The Records. Each tune is magic and even the instrumentals keep your toe tapping. Unfortunately the sound quality of the existing “source” tapes are pretty bad.  However the music is too good to ignore, and power pop completists will definitely want to get this album.

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Vanilla 2.0

Vanilla “Vanilla 2.0”

The long overdue album from Vanilla (Jayson Jarmon, Sean Gaffney, Carl Funk, Scott McPherson, and Kirk Adams) is ready and its a leap in style and quality. It starts out with the brilliant ballad “The Victim of the Rhyme” that combines melody and dense harmonies to perfection. “Hai Karate Girls” is a pretty obscure reference on this strong jam with horns, keys and guitar on full blast. “Perfect Year” is another gem with lyrical simplicity that recalls classic REM.

On the second half the album shifts to more of a theatrical style, very much like The Blood Rush Hour. “The Curtain Coming Down” has dark cast over its XTC-like drama. “The Angel of Swain’s Lane” is an Irish folk song that seems a little out of place, but the macabre “Twilight” sets the mood back, and the humorous “Monkeypox!” is a gem that combines wicked lyrical skill with a Brian May styled guitar solo. The band closes with an energetic cover of The Raspberries “Go All The Way.” Let’s hope the next album comes sooner. Highly Recommended!

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