Great December EPs: Wyatt Funderburk, Sweetboy, Super 8, Blend Eleven, Softjaw
Wyatt Funderburk “Fleeting and Finite” and “Parkside”
Wyatt is comparable to a “5-tool-player” in baseball. Does many things extremely well, from songwriting, playing, singing, producing, etc. He does punk pop to perfection with Kurt Baker, but I can think of very few people who have the skills to pull off a Brian Wilsonesque combination of melody and earnest romantic delivery. He gives us a double EP (one under the name “Hibiki”) Don’t believe me? Listen to “You’ll Know” and you’ll know! Get it on Amazon
Sweetboy “A Day in the Park”
Local NYC indie pop band has some amazing songwriting, check out the title track “A Day in the Park,” “Island” and the epic chorus of “End of The World.” This is a band you should keep your eyes on for future greatness. Get it on Amazon
Super 8 “Goes J Pop”
Sorry if you were expecting Kenshi Yonezu, but Paul “Trip” Ryan (aka Super 8) does a fine job with these Japanese pop covers (including a Beatles cover). Check out “Keep Doing It” with its shamisen accents. Get it on Amazon
Blend Eleven “Deepest Cuts”
This Aussie band with great sound builds everything off the 12-string acoustic strum. A cover of the classic Cat Steven’s “The First Cut is The Deepest” sets the stage, very much in the vocal mold of Extreme’s acoustic gems. And it’s a freebie to try – so pick it up, and listen to the band’s other material. Get it on Amazon
Softjaw “Softjaw”
Deceptively cool vibe on the opener “Pleased With Me” drew me in, as this Long Beach, California band has a perfect power pop approach. “Don’t Go Walkin’ Out On Me” and “Dragging Mt Feet” are pure gems. This is another band that flirts with greatness, as each song hits the mark and it’s a contender for best EP this year. Get it on Amazon
Holiday music: Willie Wisely, Kai Danzberg, Mike Brunacini, Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom, Reno Bo, Ben Folds
TV Pins, The Restless Age, and Mt. Misery
TV Pins “Aircutter”
TV Pins is a band from Midlands, UK combining 1970s Americana, Britpop, and a touch of New Wave. The album opener “Oh Yeah” is perfect intro with the thump of drums into a heavy bass lead melody like a Britpop version of Big Star.
“Bye Bye Reseda” is a slightly different vibe with horns, but there are plenty of gems here like the breezy strum of “Magpie Eyes” and the unique “Roundabout” which goes in many melodic directions. “Everysingletime” recalls Crowded House at times, and the bouncy genius of “Last Rites” is my favorite here. This band does not do “cookie cutter” pop, hence the styles differ considerably. Definitely highly recommended.
The Restless Age “Losers Party”
The Restless Age (Will Bryant, Lee Falco, and Brandon Morrison) are from Athens, Georgia, and the album ‘Loser Party’ may not be power pop in sound, but definitely in spirit. The melancholy piano title track is a ballad that recognizes “my kind will never rule the earth,” but it has some great chord changes.
These guys really shine on the ballads with their crisp three-part harmonies and pensive emotional delivery. Check out “Time Can’t Go Back Now,” “Save Me,” and “Murky Water” for some gorgeous songwriting. The mid-tempo tracks aren’t as memorable, but “Freak Show” is another keeper. This is a band to keep your eye on and definitely deserves to be heard. Check them out!
Mt. Misery “Love In Mind”
Hartlepool, UK’s Mt. Misery is a jangle pop band that fans of Dropkick or Teenage Fanclub will really enjoy. The opener “Hey” has those subtle jangling chords, soothing background harmonies, and the earnest lovelorn belief that “everything will work out fine.” The next several songs also hit that sweet spot, as “Movies,” “On My Mind,” and “Sunday Song” all feel like a cozy vacation from the winter blues.
We can all sense the haze of naïve love and the uncertainty of youth as the laid-back tempo lingers a bit longer across the album on tracks like “You Call My Name” and “Love To Give.” While it feels a bit repetitive in parts, there are enough goodies here to make this a highly recommended album.
It’s December goodies: The Leb Trip, Jupiter Motel, Action Shelly, Barry Walsh, Incredible Weapons, Rum Bar Records assortment