I had a great conversation with rocker Raymonde Meade, you can visit the interviews section or access it right here.
Also my friend Richard X. Heyman is funding his 10th album on Kickstarter. Please check out the video in our “Help A Musician” section and donate to make the album “X” a reality!
Jacco Gardener “Cabinet of Curiosities”
Amsterdam native Gardener, has a talent for brilliant baroque pop using studio techniques perfected in the late 60’s psychedelic era. That means our opening harpsichord melody in “Clear The Air” is a bit like Phil Spector producing The Zombies latest single. “The One Eyed King” arrangements are lush and airy, comparable to The Moody Blues and early Pink Floyd. And every song here has that dream-like psyche-pop quality. Jacco’s lyrical puzzles seldom transcend the atmosphere, but like “Puppets Dangling” the spot-on retro magic will keep you enthralled. Fans of classic Brian Wilson, Van Dyke Parks, Syd Barrett, and The Pillbugs will really enjoy this. If there ever was an album to zone out to in a darkened room lit by florescent light and smelling of incense, this is it.
Luke Potter “One Day”
A new voice out there, Luke Potter is a young singer-songwriter from the UK who’s starting to make a buzz with his new EP, produced by power pop favorite Bleu. Opening with “Breathe In” it uses both guitar melody and Luke’s strong vocal to draw you in. “Chance Worth Taking” is a bit more typical rock ballad, but the title track “One Day” is more compelling and he gives you a truly inspirational chorus. Even Bruce Bodeen of PopGeekHeaven was said “Luke Potter appears to be primed to deliver some great work…” Check it out.
Miss Guy “Dumb Blonde”
One of the best remembered soundtracks was Hedwig and The Angry Inch, it sounds like we have life imitating art with Miss Guy. Former lead singer with punk band The Toilet Böys, Guy has created an EP than contains great riffs and catchy dance beats. “Magic” is a solid single about coming out transgender with an uplifting sing-along chorus. The title track is another gem. Give it a try.
Amazon | Itunes
Catholic Girls “Exposed”
An East Coast cult band founded in the 1980’s, they wore Catholic school uniforms on stage, and opened for The Kinks and Tom Petty. The sound is really close to Blondie, and lead singer Gail Petersen even sings like Debbie Harry in spots. The LP opens with the exhausting “Sleep” which is a good song, but at over 5 minutes drags out. In fact, many of the songs drag past the four minute mark. But gems are here, including the Cheap Trick like guitar on “Airplay.”
CD Baby | Amazon
Spastic Hearts “Spastic Hearts”
Ohio band that sounds like a mix between The Ramones and Green Day through 11 fast paced tracks. The sound is great, a few standouts include “Rock N’ Roll,” “Kis You (On The Lips)” and “I Know.” That said, the album is pretty formulaic and could use a change in tempo a bit more often.
CD Baby | Amazon
Keith Klingensmith and the TM Collective “Free!”
Keith runs Futureman Records, a collection of awesome power pop gems from the past, and he’s a pretty fine musician to boot. With his band the TM Collective, he will feed your need for free music. Yes this collection of covers is 100% free to download and the nineteen song run from the easily recognizable Beach Boys “Let Him Run Wild” to the more obscure “Jesus Follows Lisa Home” by the What Gives. My fave is the rarely covered Rutles tune “Cheese and Onions.” Enjoy this collection and check out all the releases Keith curates.
The Dead Girls “Fade In/Fade Out”
I was impressed with the Dead Girls EP last year, so this full length LP builds on it. Lead singer Cameron Hawk has a sound a bit like Wire mixed with Weezer on “Never Erased.” The terrific riffs and harmonies on “Naysayer” kicks it up a notch and the band builds a good atmosphere on the slow building “Find Your Way Back To Me (Oh My Soul)” – it will have you missing Alex Chilton all over again. No filler here, each track is quality, more highlights include “Under Siege,” the amazing “Scare You” and epic “I Feel You” which is equal parts Led Zeppelin and Oasis. I hear a lot of stuff, and this is the best free album I’ve heard all year. Get it!
Tarmac Adam “The History Effect”
Tarmac Adam is a Melbourne pop band created by songwriter Matt O’Donnell and multi-instrumentalist Steve Paix with Rueben Alexander (drums), Josh Barber (percussion) and former Crowded House bassist Nick Seymour. The upbeat “Chalk On Slate” feels like a nod to those 80’s alt. pop hits by The Psychedelic Furs.
It then brings us a highlight with “Bygones” a richly arranged mid-tempo gem. That dream-like quality is all over this album, with O’Donnells’ light tenor doing wonders on the melodic “Giving It Back.” We spend time with slow tempo tunes, introspective lyrics, and it isn’t till we get moving with the excellent “Window Pane” that it draws you in again. There is also something about “Catch His Breath” that feels Andy Partridge influenced, with its horns and synths blending together. Give this one some time to grow on you, and you’ll be rewarded.
Kevin Lee and The Kings “Breakout”
I liked Kevin’s last album, and he picks up right where he left off. Those “Big Hooks and Chunky Guitars” are back as well. The album starts with “Tell Me Why” featuring highly polished chord progressions and simple chorus. Kevin’s sound gets a bit harder on “Burn It Down” and “Breakout” where the riff drives the song. The arcing theme of the album is about breakups and lost chances. “Gold Digger” kinda reminds me of early Bon Jovi, and “Outside Looking In” is a poignant tale of seeing your former girlfriend marry someone else. My favorite tracks are the tandem of “Save Your Soul Tonight” and “Hope In A Hopeless World” with its inspirational lyrics and constructive message. Overall a solid release for fans of classic rock, with no filler either – highly recommended!