The Foreign Films and Juniper

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The Foreign Films

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.

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Juniper

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.

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The Push Puppets video premiere and new music from The Genuine Fakes, Stay, The New Pornographers, Phantom Note, Strange Neighbors

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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

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Skeleton Staff

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.

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The Nervous Eaters

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.

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Anchor & Bear and Dan Israel

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Naturally, I miss quite a few 2022 releases. This week will feature several of them…

Anchor & Bear

Anchor & Bear “No More Nights On The Roof”

Katy Pearson and Brian Bringelson the duo known as Anchor & Bear. I’ve been following Brian since his early days as Paul Starling, and it’s nice to find that Katy is a perfect match for him musically. “Earthquake On The 4th Of July” hits it right away, as Katy’s gentle harmonies and the catchy chorus make it a great start. The follow-up “Hospital Song” is so low-key, it loses some momentum, but luckily it picks up the tempo with the breezy “Red Letter Days” and playful “Cool Water” with Katy on the lead.

“Glad it’s Over” and “She’s A Robot” takes time to build momentum, but they are also fine tracks. The dynamic is very much along the lines of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) or Carl Newman and Neko Case (New Pornographers). The bouncy “On The Deck Tonight” is another highlight, and while it sometimes feels inconsistent – it more often hits than misses. Definitely, music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Dan Isreal

Dan Israel “Seriously”

Dan Israel has been very active these last few years. Like a mix of Elvis Costello and Tom Petty, he weaves tales of woe and emotional frustration to a solid guitar melody. Starting with the workman-like effort of “Happy For Now.” It’s all about the nature of his pessimism, with a blistering guitar break. The title track is a bit heavier, with his Dylan-like vocals asking “Should I write another song that nobody hears?” It all seems rather sour but, “I’m In New York” is a chugging melody with harmonica accompaniment offers some relief, leading seamlessly into the acoustic “Taking The Fall.”

The album is consistently good but the best standout tracks are reserved for the end of the album, the defiant “I Quit” and amazing “Hang Of It” make this triumphant.  It did make my top 50 list (#40) last year, so do not hesitate. I would also check out his earlier album Social Media Anxiety if you are a new Dan listener. Highly Recommended.

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Don’t panic! The mainstream didn’t forget power pop.

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In general, mainstream artists don’t always consider themselves in the power pop genre, but last year these artists made us proud. If you missed these albums check them out, my favorite mainstream albums of 2022…

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello “The Boy Named If”

I did a full review of this album earlier in the year. It is a magnificent comeback for Elvis after years of experimentation with Jazz, Spanish translations, and other things. Each track shines and he hasn’t sounded this good in years. No highlights – listen to the entire album from beginning to end and soak it in.| Amazon

Panic! At The Disco

Panic! At The Disco “Viva Las Vengeance”

Ever since 2008’s Pretty. Odd. singer Brendon Urie’s charismatic, cross-pollinated brand of pop moved away from his emo roots toward something resembling power pop, as that album was Beatles-influenced. But Viva Las Vengeance, produced by power-pop fave Mike Viola, was a love letter to glam, rock, and power-pop. Highlights: “Middle Of A Breakup,” “Local God,” and ” Sugar Soaker.” Highly recommended. | Amazon

Collective Soul

Collective Soul “Vibrating”

The band has become a rock and roll institution, 30 years after the hit single “Shine” and it continues to roll on with this new collection of music. Ed Roland and the guys have laid down another solid album. One of the rare touring bands that offer new music on par with their established hits, at least for the album’s first half. Highlights: “Cut The Cord,” “Reason,” and “All Our Pieces.”  Full review here | Amazon

Collective Soul

Weezer “SZNZ”

A new EP has been released at the dawn of each season of 2022, and it totals 28 tracks when it’s all done. Rivers Cuomo is a unique talent who is both amazing and frustrating in equal measure. A fitting coda is “Iambic Pentameter” where even though he doesn’t know what’s in his “messed-up head” it still sounds great.  Like most post-Hurley Weezer, there are enough diamonds to be found once you dig deep, past the musical sketch fluff. Highlights: “Dark Enough To See Stars,” “Francesca,” “A Little Bit of Love,” and “Records”  are starting points. | Amazon