The Corner Laughers “Matilda Effect”

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The Corner Laughers

The Corner Laughers “Matilda Effect”

San Francisco sunshine pop band The Corner Laughers are back and lead singer Karla Kane continues to mesmerize us with her bright clear vocals. After lending her voice for the Agony Aunts album, she serves up this feminist concept LP. The album’s title, Matilda Effect, is a reference to the phenomenon of female scientists being overlooked in favor of their male colleagues.

With her cat-eye glasses and ukulele, Karla plays the sugar-voiced fairy on “Fairytale Tourist” asking to be treated with respect or “let me go.” Then “The Girl, America”, written by psych-pop fav Anton Barbeau is a jangling melody about sexism in radio. The tempo remains quick for “Octavia A” with a sweet McCartney styled bass line and a big highlight here is “Queen of the Meadow” about under credited astronomer Henrietta Leavitt.

Backed up by the combo of guitarist KC Bowman, Khoi Huynh on bass and Charlie Crabtree, on drums, the production is both polished and bouncy fun. Things slow a bit with the harmonizing march “Midsommar” and light lullaby “Lammas Land,” but pick up with the doo-wop rhythm on “Go Fly Your Kite.” Its both quirky and cheery pop that deserves more fans. Highly Recommended.
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William Duke and The Wheel Workers

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William Duke

William Duke “The Dark Beautiful Sun”

It’s been a long time since we heard from Mr. Duke, but his new album features a ’70s influenced California folk sound that’s part Crosby Stills Nash and part Elliot Smith. “The Golden Ring” is a bright opener, with sweet harmonies at the songs close. The melodic title track sounds like a lost Teeneage Fanclub song, full of mellow sadness in the chorus.

“Sons and Daughters” is a jangling melody in the best Byrdsian acoustic style, about appreciating your kids while they are with you. “Many Years Away” continues this easy going pop vibe, and the songs seem to blur together by the albums mid-point. The melodies of “Just Lookin’ For Some Sleep” are very comforting, as the repeating bass lines drift along weightlessly. The last several tracks remind me of  The Autumn Defense blend of acoustics, Americana and clean production. The instrumental “1977” references the period with light and heavy synths, almost a prog rock ballad. The download is FREE, but you can order a limited vinyl release through Bandcamp.
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Wheel Workers

The Wheel Workers “Citizens”

The Houston, Texas band continues right where it left off last year, (with a bit more bite) delivering catchy indie rock with a progressive message about the evils of corporate greed. “Yodel” comes across like Rev. Horton Heat with the lyric “one man gets a crumb another gobbles the whole pie, how ya figure it’s that way?” Then the synths and punk vocals of “Burglar” bounce along like an ’80s Devo dance track. “Whole Other World” is a hypnotic anti-war song that speaks to current events and “Wage Slaves” is a synth heavy modern protest song.

The remaining tracks are quality pop, the infectious beat of “Dream” is very much like Robert Pollard (GBV) reaching a fuzzy crescendo. Lyrically its thought provoking and frontman Steven Higginbotham challenges you with his punk approach on “Citizen Incorporated.” While not as richly produced, or as long as the the last album it still proves to be worthy of repeat listens. Give it a try.
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Daveit Ferris: A song a day all year long

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Daveit Ferris

A short time ago I highlighted a few bands who are releasing singles on a scheduled basis. So Irish musician Daveit Ferris decided to top all of them by releasing a new song for everyday of 2015. That’s a massive 365 songs in total, calling his project 365 Sparks, it all started after a health scare when Daveit decided to tackle this ambitious project.

Its a massive amount of work, but thankfully a lot of it is good. His music alternates between a Green Day/Bowling For Soup styled punk pop, and bright acoustic ballads. Each month so far is available on Bandcamp and I’m sure you’ll find several favorites among the songs. Currently he’s up to April. Enjoy!

Check out past months: January | February | March

The Lunar Laugh and Double Naught Spy Car + Stew

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Apollo

The Lunar Laugh “Apollo”

I was really impressed with Jared Lekites single last month, so I guess he had more where that came from. Jared teams up with Connor Anderson forming the band Lunar Laugh and tees up a “must-have” masterwork. Although this album is short, each song is instantly catchy and timeless pop that uses inspiration from the ’60s and ’70s without sounding too retro or imitative.

“Man Against Man” is a quick paced rocker about partisanship in government. “Winsome” slows down just enough to a smoother mid-tempo chorus about looking back on childhood and “Apollo” is the LP centerpiece that recalls Lindsey Buckingham at his Fleetwood Mac peak with all the rich production and layered harmonies. Each song transitions well after the other, “On The Road” and “When I’m Alone” are both excellent pop gems. “Beds On Fire” is a slow atmospheric ballad with majestic piano that breaks things up, but then it jumps back on the bouncy pop wagon. Not a single wasted note here, and easily makes it as a candidate for my top ten of 2015 list. Amazon includes an extra track “Some of Shelly’s Blues.” Don’t miss this one!
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Stew

Double Naught Spy Car & Stew “Panorama City”

Normally I wouldn’t review this, but Stew is someone I really admire. However he’s kinda sleepwalking here. The band Double Naught Spy Car has been described as “surf/roots/jazz/rock/psych/world/whatyougot” and they team up with pop vocalist Stew of The Negro Problem and Passing Strange fame. Panorama City is best described as spontaneously composed songs with improvised melodies. At times it’s both trippy and meandering.

Stew adds his own beatnik free-improv pop lyrics on top of the mess. Often Stew’s narrative is entertaining especially on songs like “Sweet Jackie’s Revenge” or “Bumpin’ Morton Subotnick,” but nothing here is that melodic or memorable. It’s too pop to be called avant-garde jazz music and too structured to be called abstract pop. It falls somewhere in between – and I didn’t really like it. One exception here is the blues rock guitar melody “President” which alludes to Nixon as a Lothario. While this doesn’t redeem the album, it was the one keeper here. Proceed with caution.
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The Kingbees and Simian Ghost

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Arthur Nassson

The Kingbees “The Kingbees”

Singer-Guitarist Jamie James formed The Kingbees in 1980 with Micheal Rummans on bass and Rex Robert on drums. They had formed a tight trio paying homage to the early spirit of rock and roll, and sounds like the “lost link” between the Power Pop sound and Rockabilly. Signed by RSO records they had a hit in Detroit with “My Mistake” the following year. It’s a textbook rock and roll single with a catchy bridge that just sticks in your head.

Comparisons to The Stray Cats are appropriate here, “Sweet Girl To Me,”  “Man Made for Love” and “Fast Girls” are fast paced rockers that have plenty of energy. But they aren’t afraid of slower rockers like “No Respect” or danceable guitar pop on “Once Is Not Enough.” Thanks to Omnivore Records for reissuing this lost gem that shows that after 35 years these Bees have plenty of sting. Highly Recommended.
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Simian Ghost

Simian Ghost “The Veil”

Simian Ghost is an alternative pop act from Sandviken/Gävle, Sweden, consisting of Sebastian Arnström, Erik Klinga, Mathias Zachrisson, Maja Agnevik and Wilhelm Magnusson. I’m very picky when it comes to alternative pop, but this band got my attention.

Opening with the rich harmonies of “Float” are very Beach Boys like, and the bright “Cut Off Point” merges nicely into this ethereal atmosphere.  Fans of the recent Orange Peels LP will want to check out this album, as “A Million Shining Colours” is bold and shimmering in its presentation. A few spare acoustics break up the sunshine, like “August Sun” and “Fight Even” but there too many highlights to ignore. Listen to “The Ocean Is A Whisper” or “Be A Good Kid” on good headphones and marvel at the depth of the sound, and “Never Really Knew” is a little more commercial but just as compelling. With 18 tracks it will take a little effort, but totally worth it.
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