Okay all April Fools kidding aside, these guys have been on tour with Apple In Stereo recently. Poison Control Center will release their new double-album “Sad Sour Future” through Afternoon Records on May 18th. The new video was shot in the band’s home digs of Ames, IA by Andrew Roger. Horns, cowbells, and jangly guitars…just the way you like it!
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John Whildin launches The Wild Bores’ second album with the richly melodic “In Front Of Me” full of warmth and an easy going guitar strum. This album is much more focused and improved from their debut album last year. After the rainy atmospheric “Willow Street” with it’s fuzzy keyboards, it shifts back in high gear. The low key approach of “I Still Think She’s Mine” is deceptively inviting along the lines of Steely Dan with horns and guitar driving the melody. This is my favorite track on the album, with piano and horns accenting spots, and a nice sax solo to top things off. John’s simple cadence and rootsy delivery are very similar to pop favorite Chris Stamey, as the hooks and jangle of “Same Routine” make it one of the highlights here. A light country-folk feel is also easy to recognize in a few tracks like “Rocket Loose” and “Life Is Fine.” Fans of Wilco and The Jayhawks will easily warm to these songs. Another joy is the bright “Sunshine Lady” and “Anecdote” which recalls the best acoustic guitar pop of REM and The DB’s. No real duds here, and the end result of this is a gentle, but intelligent pop album that’s a perfect soundtrack to spring sunshine. Kool Kat is offering a special deal on both this album and the band’s debut at a special price, check it out.
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At SXSW, my favorite grrl rock band Girl in A Coma performed “Cherry Bomb” with original Runaways member Cheri Curri. It’s about time The Runaways got their due in rock history, and with Girl In A Coma’s connection to Joan Jett’s label it made total sense. Check out the official movie version of the song.
Stone Temple Pilots – Between The Lines by Atlantic Records
Atlantic recording group STONE TEMPLE PILOTS has announced the upcoming release of their hugely anticipated self-titled studio album “STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.” This will be the first studio release since 2001’s certified gold “Shangri-La Dee Da.” The new album – which will be released on MAY 25 – will render the magic that has established the band as a dominate force in the rock scene for the past two decades, featuring tracks that original bassist, guitarist and vocalist, Robert DeLeo recently admitted to SPIN magazine as musically reminiscent of “Paul Revere and the Raiders” driven by the sound of the sixties. Check out theband’s site. With all the other new releases coming out it’s good to see this band return after years out of the public eye.
Ryan Maynes (aka Schmedly) and his merry band mates have returned to build on the astounding success of their previous album. Truly filled to the brim with unabashed worship of Electric Light Orchestra, Jellyfish, and The Beach Boys it’s like listening to bright sunshine. Opening with the harmonic treats on “Tangerine” complete with ELO-styled guitar goodness it transitions to the “Pet Sounds” sing-along “I’m So In Love.” Hook after hook are poured into these songs and that’s what’s so impressive here – it’s perfect power pop. Fans of Harry Nilsson will flip for “New Skin” – it sounds exactly like him and bounces along with the same style that made The Point so wonderful. The next few tracks (“Feels So Good” and “Riding The Shark”) are multi-layed with guitars, harmonies and unique instrumentations that compare well to Jellyfish albeit with Schmedly’s grizzled vocal approach. “Cows” uses the multi-tracked vocal style throughout and the mid tempo ballad “Miss Lonely” rounds out a perfect album half. Schmedly’s vocals head fully into Bryan Adams territory with the dramatic “The Lie” and the remaining album tracks are very strong, but don’t shine as bright. The group vocals and melodies on “Chemical High” and “Just Might” recall mid-western rock bands like The Allman Brothers Band or Bob Segar a bit and the Elton John-like piano chord shifts round it out on “Nothing As Nice.” As a special offer from Kool Kat Musik, you get an additional disc of bonus tracks. This album easily makes my top ten this year, keep it coming guys!
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Listen to a clip of “Tangerine”