After a relatively warm January, we settle in and see Ryan Allen is already following up his #7 album of 2022 with a new concept album. This is a taste, we’ll review the entire LP soon. Boston’s Luddites does a good job with old-school power pop riffs, and Bulgarian singer-songwriter Ilko Birov knocks this single “Mrs. James” out of the park. Fans of Elliott Smith and Dave Davies will enjoy this. Jason Bronson and Jacob Chisenhall bring us the warmth of Floral Portrait, a slice of sunny orchestral pop in the tradition of Brian Wilson. Fans of The Wondermints will appreciate it and it’s our freebie. On a louder note, Brock Pytel (formerly of The Doughboys, the Montreal punk band and NOT Richard X. Heyman’s band) has a new single and it’s got a catchy fatalism, akin to Bob Mould playing The Rolling Stones. Onward to Spam… I mean, February!
The Shang Hi Los and Baby Scream
The Shang Hi Los “Aces Eights & Heartbreaks”
The Shang Hi Los are Jen D’Angora (Vocals and Guitar), Dan Kopko (Vocals and Guitar), Lee Harrington (Bass and Vocals), and Chuck Ferreira (Drums and Percussion). Kopko knows a good guitar anthem, as he’s done them with his previous band Watts. From the opening track, “Takes One To Know One,” it’s clear that the band is firing on all cylinders, with driving guitar riffs, pounding drums, and a frenetic energy that is impossible to resist.
Jen D’Angora owns “Monsieur Valentine,” a catchy mid-tempo ballad that really stands out. “Plymouth Rock” is a rambunctious, foot-stomping anthem that’s guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days. The band’s chemistry is evident in each song, creating a sound that is both polished and raw. “Billy” adds a little Ennio Morricone, and “Victoria’s Garden” recalls a lost Blondie single. With only nine tracks, it’s considered an EP – but there is no filler here. Highly Recommended.
Baby Scream “Castell de Pop”
Argentinian musician Juan Pablo Mazzola returns with a sparse acoustic guitar and a series of songs that questions the nature of life. In some ways, this is the most depressing soul-searching he has done. As a “Castaway” in the opening track his darkness “comes and goes” but on “Kill Your Idols” he plunges into the black with resignation, as he cries “Nobody’s gonna help you with your hell/So you might as well pretend you are doing well.” The tender “Back Home” adds Ky Anto and its a bright spot, plus “Chillin'” explores the joys of a quiet day.
Often I’ve compared Juan to John Lennon in approach. “Panic Room” recalls this if Lennon got paranoid and yelled, “everyone to go fuck themselves.” The gentle guitar couplet on the title track is another highlight, but the heavy emotional nature of the material might put off some. Still, this is an album that deserves to be heard.
The Foreign Films and Juniper
The Foreign Films “Magic Shadows”
Canadian Bill Majoros is back and the listener is taken away to a hazy, nostalgic world of driving basslines and vocal harmonies by the album’s opening tune, “Midnight Movies.” It’s a compelling character study set to a hook, the kind that Ray Davies perfected with The Kinks, but Bill updates the time and place to now. Following that are “Rain Clouds (Sunshine in Your Heart)” and “Perfect Future” with distinct 80’s percussion and synth lines. “Cinema Girl (Magic Shadows)” and “Time Machine” showcases the band’s ability to blend elements of late 20th-century rock to create a sound that is both timeless and fresh.
“Lost in Time” recalls Pink Floyd’s spacey atmosphere with an overlapping sax solo and “Cosmic Lover” channels both Norman Greenbaum and Marc Bolan at the same time. Overall, Magic Shadows masterfully combines innovation with nostalgia. Highly Recommended.
Juniper “She Steals Candy”
Juniper Shelley, the daughter of power pop musician Michael Shelley, has released her sophomore album She Steals Candy, and in some ways, it’s a nostalgic throwback to the early days of girl pop. “BANG!” is a simple catchy tune that evokes comparisons to artists like Lesley Gore. “James” and “Baby Doll” are both terrific songs about falling for bad boys written from her point of view, and her sweet assured vocals make her a sympathetic lead. It even goes into a retro-style taunt with “Little Miss Stuck Up.” She tries out the country tunes “Picture Of You,” and “I Cry Cause I Care” but the delivery here seems to lack emotion. Juniper is much better when playful on “Taste the Soup,” or even the carnal rock of “Alone With You” and “I’ve Gotta Boy.”
The stylistic variety of the record is a welcome change of pace, and the songwriting is excellent all throughout. Juniper’s voice is upfront, bathing in the glow of confidence that she is in control of the proceedings. Better than her understated debut, and it shows growth with the excellent “Turn To You.” With 16 tracks, this album will undoubtedly appeal to fans of girl-pop and retro vibes. Highly Recommended.
The Push Puppets video premiere and new music from The Genuine Fakes, Stay, The New Pornographers, Phantom Note, Strange Neighbors
Illinois band Push Puppets made a good impression on their debut with superior melodic skills courtesy of singer/guitarist Erich Specht. Bandmates Greg Essig (drums), John William Lauler (bass), and Kyle Magnusson (keyboards) keep the sound crisp and bright. Here is a brand new video from that album; “Center of the Storm” which is akin to Crowded House in spots.
At the tail-end of 2022, The Genuine Fakes gives us a power pop taste of the new year with a new EP; listen to “Two Fine Lovers,” and “The Receiver” which are great songs. I’m going through David Bash’s top 100 list and found the band Stay is already hot on a new EP, covering The Move, and generally doing a Stonesy “Get Going.” The New Pornographers also is prepping a big return with the first track “Really Really Light.” Newbie from Portland, Oregon Phantom Note gives us a freebie with some jangle and melodic strum. Check out the opener “I Should Know By Now” and “Lonely As Hell,” these guys have real talent! Another impressive newbie here is Strange Neighbors from New York City. Check out the cool riffs from “Skeleton Boy” to “Window Watching.” Not a bad start for the new year.
Skeleton Staff and Brenden Benson
Skeleton Staff “Malapropism”
After a six-year wait, this Australian baroque-glam-pop band Skeleton Staff is back! Opening with “Investiture” it boasts a dramatic build that draws more from the brothers Mael (Sparks) as an influence. “Is This Thing Gonna Work Out?” contrasts heavy guitar with bombastic verses, but the heavy production almost threatens to bury the melody. “Harlots” is a 4-minute operetta loaded with Queen-like guitars and overlapping vocal parts, like a grand march. It’s that bombast that draws attention, but a song like “Dumb and Proud To Be” has more of a hook, and I wanted to hear more of this. But Skeleton Staff prefers a large buffet of many styles.
The band shifts to dance-pop synths mode for “She Made Me Believe In Make Believe Again” and the funky “You Look Good In Pictures.” The critique of the music industry in “A&R” takes the narrative of a label looking for a band to “just find a viral hit.” The beautiful ballads “Hand Up In The Sky” and piano-led “Bugger All” really show how talented this band is. And “You’re Gonna Fly Too” is another introspective song that does it right, without all the pretentious bits. Those bits take over a few tunes, like “Paranoia Strikes” but overall Malapropism is a very good listen. Check it out.
Brendan Benson “Low Key”
In 2020 Brendan Benson moved out of his comfort zone on Dear Life, and put a band together planning to go on the road. But COVID happened and he couldn’t, so it was back to the studio, and this is the result. He still includes light elements of modern hip-hop in the beats (a source of inspiration) in the opener “Aint No Good” and closer “Something A Little Like Home.” While these are good songs, Brendan is still a master at power-pop melody. “I Missed The Plane” is a superb piano-led tune with McCartneyesque overtones about a lost relationship.
Even deeper, “People Grow Apart” brings his signature buzzing riffs to the front and it is one of the album’s big highlights, along with the Who-inspired “Whatever’s On My Mind.” These tracks are so good, it softens the faithful cover of Gerry Rafferty’s “Right Down The Line” and the soulful introspection of “Whole Lotta Nothin.” As a follow-up to Dear Life, it’s a perfect companion album. Between the two, if he comes to your town during a tour he’s got lots of great new material — so don’t miss him. Highly Recommended.