Ward White “Mezcal Moth” premiere and some pre-Thanksgiving freebies

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Ward White is a unique character who is a master of evoking dark moods and anxieties. This time the art-rock crooner turns the pop notch up a bit more on his new album Ice Cream Chords with his first single “Mezcal Moth.” The album is due after 12/2.

Ward White

 

Pre-Thanksgiving Freebies

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, I wanted to share some recommended freebies. These collections are all name-your-price, so you have no excuses. The first collection Grandma Got Run Over By A Tour Van, is a collection of goodies from punk, pop, and rock artists doing Christmas music. I like the newer original songs as opposed to the re-warmed-over covers of traditional holiday tunes, like The Sewing Club’s “Hard Candy Christmas” and Obey The Trooper’s “Tennessee Christmas.”


Too early to hear Christmas music? Some odds and ends of summer music covers, but what got me was the emo-punk version of The Beach Boys “Kokomo” by Ghost Town Remedy.

Shame on me, I never really reviewed Nat Freeberg. He’s an amazing guitarist and has a kick-ass rock and roll sound. This compilation is a perfect sampling of his work. Highlights here include “Call Me If You Want Me” and “Back of The Line.” A product of RumBar Records, and definitely an artist that deserves to be heard. The definition of a “why-have-I-never-heard-him-before-?” artist.

November Video Singles: Paul McCann, Key of Caustic, Ariel Bui, The Adam, Royal Sugar, BeatersBand

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So, sometimes record companies send me video singles to listen to, and I have tried to weed out the mundane and give you some insight into some good fresh new talent. Check these out. Let me know if you like them!


Paul McCann is back! Lost in the Moment is a power pop gem. Looking forward to this album.

Punk rockers Key of Caustic “Pretty Little Suicide” fun garage rock.

Ariel Bui has a very retro-feel on “Sixteen”

The Adam and his cool single “Cathy” has a great riff and hook. Not much of a video, but a good song!

Royal Sugar uses modern pop with some glam guitar riffs creeping around the background on “Fleeting Love”

The BeatersBand again has a retro feel, and it’s so damn catchy!

Sloan and Richard X. Heyman

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Sloan

Sloan “Steady”

On their 13th album, Sloan retains its title as the best indie power pop band left standing. The Canadian quartet has a career that spans over 40 years, and “steady” not only describes the band’s lineup but also its consistent stylistic approach. The chugging guitar on “Magical Thinking” starts us off, with hooks a plenty and a “ba-ba-ba” chorus. Then we launch into the catchy rocker “Spend The Day” a song that’s defined Sloan’s sound for years with a wicked guitar break, and it leads right into the gentle harmonies and handclaps of Jay Ferguson’s “She Put Up With What She Put Down.” Each song leaves an impression, and the album gets even better the further along we go.

Chris Murphy’s “Human Nature” is a brilliant piano-based song about our love of gossip. But what’s amazing is how the band can take Beatlesque elements and make it totally their own, my favorite track here is “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” a dreamy Rickenbacker riff based on “Day Tripper” – it’s an instant classic. Not a weak track to be found, and without a doubt (like their 2018 opus 12) this easily gets added to my top ten list for 2022.

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Richard X. heyman

Richard X. Heyman “67,000 Miles An Album”

For many years Richard X. Heyman was the original power pop DIY, one man band, and even though he branched off playing with The Doughboys several years ago, he remains a singularly unique songwriting talent. 67,000 miles an hour refers to the speed of the earth as it moves in orbit around the sun. RXH goes through a variety of styles here, but he starts off with an absolute gem “You Can Tell Me,” full of harmonies and sweet chord progressions. The rich horns of “Misspent Youth” goes through visions of his life in New York, and “Traveling Salesman” is a garage rocker with a distinct riff.

With 18 tracks you’ll find plenty of great songs here like “Crave,” a bouncy rocker with synth keys and pounding drums, and the mature hooks on “When The New Dawn Comes.” The soulful vocals of the mid-tempo ballad “Plans” are another highlight. Sometimes RXH finds a musical idea, like “Ready For A Fall” with its stylized harmonies, but it doesn’t quite work. However, enough tracks do work and that makes it highly recommended in my book.

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Future Teens and Disq

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Future Teens

Future Teens “Self Help”

This Boston quartet may call themselves a “bummer pop band,” but Self Help really packs an emo-punch. The album was created over ten days with producer Andy Park (Death Can For Cutie).  The concept is wrapped around the emotional journeys one takes through therapy. The lyrics are strong, the melodies are loaded with power, and Amy Hoffman’s strong vocals on the opener “Doorknob Confessional” recalls Alanis Morissette. Daniel Radin’s vocals in “Good Reason” are equally impressive, noting that “everything that happens is for some goddamn good reason.”

“Smile With Your Teeth” is another tune that deserves attention, and “BYOB” muses on the emotional spiral of alcoholism. The stories are neatly matched instrumentally, but the approach loses some stream in the second half. On “Team Sports” Amy confesses “Lately I could use a hand, but I’m not sure how to ask for it.” This album is a definite helping hand to anyone dealing with intense feelings. Highly Recommended.

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qDisq

Disq “Desperately Imagining Someplace Quiet”

The young Madison, Wisconsin band is desperately trying to grow after their brilliant debut, Collector in 2020. They throw in a lot of ideas here, some work and others don’t. The massive variety of styles and shifting instrumental changes make for unpredictable and exciting listening.

The light harmonies of “Prize Contest Life” in the song’s middle are contrasted with its screaming noise-pop bookends. Next, “Cujo Kiddies” shuffles along its catchy verses with just enough synth & beat to make it very danceable. They still can play loud and fuzzy with “This Time” and “The Hardest Part,” as it brings to mind the band’s debut. Then “If Only” adds a friendly little Wilco-styled alt. Americana to the mix, while “Tightrope” is like a long-lost Weezer song. The most impressive tune here “(With Respect To) Loyal Serfs” is a slowly building gem that settles in with its heavy riffs and hooks. Overall, a good album that has plenty of fun music. Definitely, music that deserves to be heard.

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