The Electric Stars and Tony Low

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The Electric Stars “Sonic Candy Soul”
Manchester glam/rock/psyche pop band The Electric Stars channels assorted vintage sounds, starting on “136” it’s “beautiful music for beautiful people” with thick riffs and vocalist Jason Edge playing the part of Ziggy Stardust. “Between The Streets and The Stars” creeps along until we get to the anthem chorus (love the “ohh la la” backing vocals). After the spartan “Alice Williams,” we get the groovy “I Want You” and its super cool riff (variation on Johnny Rivers “Secret Agent Man”) will surely win you over.

“Who’s Gonna Satisfy Me?” makes use of psychedelic effects effectively with excellent layering of guitars, hand claps and vocals. Edge’s dramatic voice carries the ballads “Slow Again” and “Bedtime Stories”fine, the arrangements sound like they came off the soundtrack to The Phantom of The Paradise. Once more we get perfect mix of Glam and Brit Rock on “Not Man Enough.” Highly Recommended and loads of fun.

Amazon | Itunes
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Tony Low “Tone-wah” EP
Tony Low formerly of the ’80’s power pop pioneers The Cheepskates, continues his solo journey with Tone-wah. “Smoke From Space” is a trippy opening on par with The Pillbugs, and it gets better from there. “The Secret” is a gem with a catchy chorus and some excellent guitar work.

“Bass Guitar” finds him “Freezing in his Beatle Boots,” trying to keep his spirits up playing in “My Father’s Place” where his music “was too flat.” Tony channels Ray Davies stylistically here and on dour “Won’t Somebody?” with a Celtic styled flourish at the songs end. Well done, Tony.

CD Baby only

The Orange Peels “Sun Moon”

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Allen Clapp has always steered The Orange Peels forward, and as a top shelf power pop band they’ve thrived. But for their 5th album Sun Moon, Clapp loosens the reins and let’s a little darkness seep into the shimmering world of guitar jangle and sugary melody. Bassist Jill Pries shares writing duties and John Moreman adds his superior guitar craft. The results are a less predictable and more creative album.

Staring with “The Words Don’t Work” special kudos go out to drummer Gabriel Coan’s echoing beat that anchors the expansive chorus. “Bicentennial Bridge” is another gem that starts with a simple acoustic strum and builds along its Big Star inspired melody. The arrangements are top notch and the albums modern pop aesthetics are married perfectly to the classic Orange Peels template. Fans of The Posies will enjoy the layered guitar hooks on “Your Heroes.” “Traveling West-Sundowns” is a calming harmony filled pause, leading to the solid “Grey Holiday.” Clapp’s vocals throughout  the album are crisp and forceful. “Watch Her Fly” has a relaxed rhythm that builds to a frenzied peak, and every song here sticks to your brain after repeated listening. Makes my top-ten for 2013 easily.

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Free Music Friday: Hanky Panky, Justin Kline and Erik Voeks

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Hanky Panky “A Precious Bitch” EP
I don’t know much about this band, other than they are from Nantes in the west of France. No website, no Facebook, nothing…. The lead singer has a cute French accent though, and the single “Precious Bitch” has a catchy melody. I hope to hear more from them in the future. Give it a try, its FREE.

FREE on Bandcamp | Lyrics and video here

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Justin Kline “Doormat” EP
Talented power pop artist from Tennessee Justin Kline is back with 4 new tunes full of hooks, driving guitars, and happy melodies. Performing every instrument and singing every note himself, Justin presents an electrified batch of songs more reminiscent of some of his previous solo work (We love that, Justin!) This EP is a teaser for his next upcoming album release. Enjoy!

FREE on Noisetrade | or donate $4 on Bandcamp

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Erik Voeks “Finulu” EP
Voeks was an old favorite of mine, from the Not Lame days with Sand Box (now a big time collector’s item). It was great to find him again and with a new EP mixed and mastered by Adam Schmitt. Okay, it’s not free, but four bucks is so cheap you should give it a shot. The bouncy “Descending From A Daydream” is a fast paced gem that proves Voeks talent is as sharp as ever. It goes into a ballad mode on “Hester A.Fish,” another sweet gem. Check it out!  (P.S. You can get a digital version of Sand Box here.)
Bandcamp Exclusive

TeenSpot and Wyldlife

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TeenSpot “Aggressive Inline Skating ” EP
Somewhat of a Portland supergroup, TeenSpot is comprised of members from other established local bands (The Shaky Hands, Your Rival and Paperbrain) with a definite garage styled Superdrag meets Guided By Voices vibe. “The Hero” gives us a fuzzy lo-fi anthem with steady guitar rhythm and howling vocals, and each track gets progressively better. “Outside” and “Leave Me Guessing” recall Big Star or Velvet Crush in spots. The rough filtered vocals work wonders on “Upon Your Heel” and “On The Floor.” Overall, great indie bedroom fuzz that should make Robert Pollard proud.

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Wyldlife “The Time Has Come to Rock & Roll”
Billed as four dudes raised by alcoholic wolves. This NYC band adds equal amounts of The Ramones, early Joe Jackson and The Stones, shake vigorously and you’ll pour out a tall glass of Wyldlife. Excellent punk power pop with all the trimmings open things up on “The Right” and the stand-out single “Saturday Night.” These are balls-to-the-wall,  hook-filled punk rock anthems that cry out for air guitar. “Wasted” continues at cruising speed with a nod to bands that played and partied all night long. The wild bass on “Sonofabitch” recalls The Eels meeting Led Zepplin, just thumping piss and vinegar.

Naturally, the albums second half can’t keep this quality up? It almost does with one lone dud (“Guardian Angels”) but more highlights here include the Jagger-like riffing on “Trash” and AC/DC styled intro on “Cowboys and Slutz.” Plus the guitar buzz and hand claps go together quite well on the sign off “Out On The Run.” Highly Recommended!

Amazon | CD Baby

Phil Angotti and Chase Hamblin & The Roustabouts

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Phil Angotti “Life and Rhymes”
An enjoyable follow-up to 2011’s People and Places, Angotti once again takes us on an introspective journey. Fans of McCartney-Emitt Rhodes styled pop will love this album, starting with “Hopeful Kids” and its sing along chorus. The lyrics about looking back in “Difficult World” and “Life and Rhymes” are both expertly arranged and performed, with the title track comparable to a Carole King classic. Phils’ hopes and dreams may have started by looking “In Liverpool,” but the Beatlesque bounce of “I Might Come Back” is fast-paced gem that begs repeat listens.

Each tune radiates warmth and genuine feelings, especially cool is the lone country song here “Daddy’s Country Records,” about how his Dad would tell’em to “knock off that 60’s pop” and learn to be “country.” No filler and all killer here – I do not hesitate adding this my year-end top ten contenders list.

Amazon | CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik
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Chase Hamblin & The Roustabouts “VAUdeVILLE”
Chase Hamblin’s grandfather was a songwriter in the heyday of vaudeville, the popular early 20th century “variety show” that combined musical performances with comedy, dancing, burlesque and more. Hamblin and his band, The Roustabouts channel some of that theatrical flair here, “Beautiful Things” being an early standout song with a great hook. Things get more psychedelic on “Round and Round” with its dark lyrics, tight harmonies and harpsichord flourishes.

The circus-themed and varied compositions are a mixed bag, but most songs resonate from the somber “Lonesome” to the Wombles-like “I’ve Got A Brain.” It’s tough to separate the novelty from the good stuff here, but some nice guitar and piano work stand out on “Leaving Town.” Overall, its a finely layered production that fans of Sgt. Pepper would approve of.

Amazon | CD Baby