The Summertimes and Meyerman

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The Summertimes

The Summertimes “The Summertimes”

So a new Aussie power pop band has arrived this summer, appropriately called The Summertimes. Guitarist Ashley Naylor (Paul Kelly and The Church), drummer Stephen O’Brien (Tumbleweed), and bassist Steve Bull (Icehouse) joined songwriters David Beniuk and David Challenger in the studio. Right from the start they hit the ground running with “Inside,” and influences like Teenage Fanclub, The Go-Betweens, and You Am I are evident. The production is flawless here thanks to ARIA award-winning producer Paul McKercher (The Hoodoo Gurus, Midnight Oil).

The tight guitar playing on “Password” and the melodic chorus of “My Beautiful Girl Harbour,” makes them instant classics. The chugging lead guitar on “White Pointer,” and the jangling gem “Love (It’s A Word)” are very much in the mold of Ice Cream Hands. The tone shifts mellower on the back end of these 10 tracks, but it doesn’t break the flow of the album. “Athens, GA” is a solid romantic tune flowing with a rich melody. Even the ending track “The Perfect Wave,” is an Aussie beach anthem that recalls the Yardbirds, and references Midnight Oil. Unabashedly Australian in scope and style and Highly Recommended. Makes my top ten nominee list for 2023.

Bandcamp


Meyerman

Meyerman “Happy To See You”

Twelve years after their exciting debut, Meyerman finally returns with a sophomore album. Theo Meyer’s vocal sounds a bit rougher on the title track “Happy To See You,” but he’s lost none of his melodic skill as its hits a vibe similar to The Posies. New bandmates Jeff Preischel (bass), Rob Sadowski (guitars), and Danny Diaz (drums) are supported by fine production from Kurt Reil (The Gripweeds). The guitars are soaring on the brilliant “Katie Wong,” an early highlight here.  Then it slows considerably on “Witchita” and the next few songs are done in a ’90s hard rock style. While this sounds fine, it’s the lack of hooks that are concerning here.

I need not worry too long, as “WWDAT” is a pretty cool tune, with an unexpected style shift towards the end. At this point “Meyerman” is the perfect theme song (why didn’t they lead with this?) that rocks (turn it up!) and Theo is on a roll at this point. “Princeton Bells” has a cool swirling harmony during the chorus, and “Nova” is another great rocker that’s just infectious, akin to Enuff Z’nuff. Each song from this point hits the mark, “T-Shirt,” “Hello, Hello,” and “Handclaps and Tambourines” all focus on band life. This is the rare instance where the album’s backend is much stronger, and it brings things over the finish line. Highly Recommended.

Amazon

The Make Three and Super 8

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The Make Three

The Make Three “You, Me & The Make Three”

This New Jersey band is led by vocalist/guitarist Jerry Lardieri, and he’s joined by Peter Horvath (The Anderson Council) on bass and Chris Ryan on drums. This strong rock and roll, as the guitars blare out on “Against The Tide” recalls riff-heavy bands like The Successful Failures and The Well Wishers. “Black Cloud” and “Under My Skin” have a late ’90s indie vibe akin to The Lemonheads. Of course, The Anderson Council’s shadow falls over a few songs like “Emily Strange,” and “Local Scene” with its driving rhythm.

At the mid-point, it smartly slows down the tempo for “Hurry Up and Wait,” as a welcome pause it shortly takes off again. This is meat and potatoes rock that fits neatly in your mix with those other bands I mentioned earlier. Does it innovate or distinguish itself? Not really, but it’s not bland either, and after a few listens some of these songs will stick with you. Check it out.

Amazon


Lane Steinberg

Super 8 “HOOPLA”

Paul ‘Trip’ Ryan is back. It starts with a low-key charmer “For My Friends,” a dedication with soaring strings, and preps the listening audience for some blissful fun. “Susan Revolving” has a Sgt. Pepper-styled bass groove that makes it easy to love. The mellow vibes continue with “All My Worries” with its Lennonesque quality, referring to the calm zen-like state when he was in the “submarine.” From here it gets less Beatlesque, but the spirit remains very trippy, hippy, and idyllic on “Out of My Head,” “Jennifer Anne,” and especially “Our Town.” The fab references continue with the jangling love songs “Be My Yoko” and “Moments In Time.”

The tone is very consistent throughout the album, and maybe that’s what the problem is. The songs tend to blend into one another, creating almost a jangling soundtrack to put you to sleep. The previous album Universal Journey had some fuzzier guitar songs mixed in to prevent this. ’60s pop enthusiasts will enjoy this for sure, but others might want to start with the last album. Still, it remains music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon

Arthur Alexander and Parallax Project

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Arthur Alexander

Arthur Alexander “…Steppin’ Out!”

Arthur Alexander is back after last year’s successful Sorrows reboot “Love Too Late… the real album” and he’s just as immediate with the driving opener “Woman,” a frantic rocker that pulses with energy. The melodic “It’s Not Love Anymore” is essentially a top-notch ballad turned into a compelling rocker. “One Life (Is All You Got)” has a touch of The Who, with a blissful sitar break midway through. Music like “Ashes” and “Humming The Blues in Four” display Alexander’s talent for delivering emotionally charged performances, making it difficult to not feel a strong connection to the music. His vocals are given ample space to shine thanks to the simple yet powerful arrangements.

Arthur also takes on prog rock (“Why Can’t You Come”) and even electro-pop (“A Little Too Much”) with less success, as I think his vocals are better with fewer digital alterations. But “Oh Lulu, Won’t You Be My Girl” is a welcome shot of whimsy, in the form of an old-fashioned dance hall number. A sequel to the Beatles’ “Honey Pie,” anyone?  Overall, more hits than misses. Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Big Stir Records


Parallax Project

Parallax Project “Autologous”

Michael Giblin (The Split Squad, Minus 5) is the main honcho behind The Parallax Project.  The debut was a power pop classic, but after 2009’s I Hate Girls, the band disappeared. This time he’s enlisted Joe Adragna (Junior League/Minus 5) to come back with Autologous (a medical term for being derived from the same individual). Giblin has this biggest hook first with “Put It Out,” a mantra that will be hard to “put it out of your head.” Next, “I’ve Got To Change My Life” is like Ric Ocasek (The Cars), who describes his issues in verses, and the chorus brings it home. “Mary Houdini” is a rich single with classic harmonies and tambourines.

By the second half, the songs deal more with universal topics like heartbreak, disappointment, and becoming older. The guitar ballad “Anything Like Me” is very heartfelt, and the steel pedal tone of “You Were Never There” and “This Is So Easy” recalls Marshall Crenshaw. While not as catchy as the album’s first half, Giblin’s songwriting is better here. The end boasts a strong Who-like theme, “Nobody Cares,” and there are just enough gems here to make this Highly Recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Mid-July fireworks: Steve Conte, Andy Partridge, Scott Gagner, Nick Frater, The Goods, The Radio Field, Fallon Cush, Clone

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Steve Conte and Andy Partridge delivered a sweet firework last week, “Fourth of July” and it’s a terrific rocker (cool video too!) Speaking of duos, who can withstand the combined might of power poppers Scott Gagner & Nick Frater? Not me, as “Never Could See Any Other Way” recorded in Abby Road Studios, has that Beatlesque spirit in advance of Gagner’s upcoming album.


On to the EPs, and I was very impressed with a new band called The Goods. Self-produced in the band’s own studio in Oakland, CA, by Rob Good its awesome hooks and guitar riffs are what I look for. German band The Radio Field has a sweet jangle, and “ooh-la-la” backing vocals from Robert Stadlober. It’s been a few years since I’ve heard some new Fallon Cush, as “Grain of Salt” is a contemplative bit of roots pop. I love Glam, and Clone knows Glam with a solid female lead in Juniper Watters on “Queen.” A great freebie this month, as RumBar Records gives you some Swagger – a 35-track sampler of loud rock and roll. Cheers!