Parthenon Huxley and Matt Tiegler

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Parthenon Huxley

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.

Kool Kat Musik

Matt Tiegler

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.

Amazon

We Give Thanks For the Singles: Jesse Judies, Terry Alan Hackbarth, Juniper, The Go, Strange Neighbors, Popdudes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9_fMDToe3E

Happy Thanksgiving! Sydney-based artist Jesse Judies delivers laid-back pop with “I’ve Been There Before.” Hypnotism and smooth guitars go together just fine. Milwaukee artist Terry Alan Hackbarth recalls “I Heard That Song Before,” and it’s a sweet hook-filled gem. As a follow-up, Juniper’s life gets mentally interrupted on “I was Thinking About You.” Next, a really sweet discovery here is The Go. It’s a power pop band from Yonkers, NY, originally released in 1980 and produced by Rob Freeman (early Ramones and Blondie producer). Thanks to a friend for turning me (and David Bash) to Strange Neighbors. They played at IPO this year in NYC, and “Skeleton Boy” is a neat little earworm. As a freebie, we have the Popdudes (John M. Borack and his usual suspects, primarily Michael Simmons) doing solid covers of their favorite songs to feast on. Enjoy it all now, because I hear sleighbells coming fast for our next singles post!




The Lunar Laugh and Duncan Reid

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When a band comes to an end, it’s always a sad day. The new records by these bands are rumored to be their last. It’s not always clear why a band breaks up, but at least we have the music to enjoy.

 

The Lunar Laugh

The Lunar Laugh “In The Black”

The Lunar Laugh is an indie rock group from Oklahoma City. Connor Anderson and Jared Lekites are the band’s co-leads, and Triston Lightner (bass), Levi Sherman (drums), and Campbell Young (singer/songwriter) round out the lineup. The band combines great power pop-influenced hooks with both modern and vintage pop and rock song structures.

Just listen to the first song, “Born Weird,” which is almost a mix of Barenaked Ladies and The Rembrandts, and it goes right into the great single “Allegiance,” with its Phil Collins-styled percussion. My favorite song here is “Fake It Till We Make It,” with its glam riffs and anthemic handclapping chorus. The midwestern style comes back in earnest with “Timeless Time” and the jangling “Stranger Than Oz.” The album’s second half is a little more varied stylistically, but some memorable cuts include “So So Long” and the alt-country “Picture Perfect,” with its sweet pedal steel guitar. The band’s maturity shines through each tune, and with no filler, it’s highly recommended.

Big Stir Records | Amazon

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads

Duncan Reid and the Big Heads “And It’s Goodbye From Him”

Duncan Reid, who played bass and sang in the 1970s UK punk band The Boys, has put together one of the most impressive power pop/punk rock discographies with Nick Hughes, Sophie Powers, and Karen Jones, who make up the Big Heads. And It’s Goodbye From Him is the fourth and final studio album by Duncan Reid and the Big Heads. Reid’s songs have a unique mix of heart, humor, and intelligence. This record is mostly about self-reflection, and the style is a combination of power pop and punk rock.

The opening track “Lost Again” has a more modern synth and guitar melody, but the heavier “Funaggedon Time” recalls the glory days of glam rock with a catchy riff that’s easy to love. “Just Try To Be Kind” is a great song that tells you to be kind because “all good things end.” The pandemic song “Can I Go Out Now, Please” is another super melody and a look back on that unique locked-up lifestyle. “Oh My My” is a reaction to pregnancy from the male POV, and it’s another highlight. Also, the goofy conspiracy theory-laden “Bill Gates (Finland is a Myth),” and “Singing with the Beach Boys,” a touching story about a divorced weekend dad making a special connection with his son, are great ways to end a great record and a legendary career. While this is his last album, Duncan Reid earns much respect here, and he’s got a full catalog on Bandcamp to enjoy. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

Remembering Ducky: One of the best power pop producers

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Last month, Ducky Carlisle passed away. One of the most loved behind-the-scenes players in Boston’s music scene, Ducky Carlisle, was an engineer who won three Grammys, a popular producer, and a drummer who played for several decades. Eric Barao, often featured on our site, wrote a fitting obituary.
Living in Medford, Carlisle ran his basement studio, Ice Station Zebra, for many years. He worked with and was a client of many artists, including The Major Labels, Animal Talk, The Figgs, Modern Day Idols, B.B. King, Susan Tedeschi, Rooney, Parks, Mike Viola, Bleu, Waltham, Air Traffic Controller, The Flashcubes, Bang Camaro, The Sheila Divine, Andrea Gillis, and a host of others (too many to mention them all).

Bleu wrote a birthday song about him, and I think it says it all.


If you’d like to dive into Ducky’s life, here are a few worthy links:

Meet Ducky

Bleu Sessions with Ducky