Bobby Emmett (The Sights) has a new solo album here, and it’s got enough to make power pop fans cheer this holiday. Emmett channels Big Star, John Lennon and The Lolas in this exciting release. The entire album has a very classic 70’s arena rock feel, and “Queen of Hearts” starts out with a riff straight of out of The Raspberries and a tight vocal harmony that resembles Roger Manning Jr.’s multi tracked goodness. It’s the main highlight of this impressive album. The follow up “Broken Hearted” is another catchy melody, with a more modern pop feel. Every track here sounds like a winner, and “Still Wanna Be With You” is a good example. The echoing Dick Dale styled guitar solo and dense vocals add to the tracks wall of sound. Another great tune, “Moving Ahn” has distinct hooks and remind me of The Bay City Rollers or Sweet, but with an extra heavy riff break toward the back end. The songwriting is also consistently excellent, so if you are to complain here it would be that the production sheen is too thick, with Emmett’s vocal being over modulated in spots. But the combination of guitars and melodies will linger long after the last track plays. “Not Gonna Take It” glams it up with rough buzz riffs, and a strutting chorus that takes no prisoners. The bombastic finale “Love Is Real” piles it on really thick with guitars and psyche-pop distortions, but the melody pokes it’s way through to win you over. Overall, a strong contender for this years top ten, no doubt. For fans of the above influences, this is essential listening.
George Michael “December Song (I Dreamed Of Christmas)”
December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)” is a holiday single released by George Michael on December 25th, 2008. The track originally had been written for the Spice Girls, but never made it and was then going to be given to Michael Buble, but ultimately George sang it himself. It is scheduled to be released commercially in December 13, 2009, but this delightful video is viewable now. It’s a slow ballad with a gorgeous bridge in the chorus. Why can’t we get more presents like this? More info at George Michael’s site
Andy Lehman and Ray Mason
Andy Lehman & The Night Moves “Low Country”
MySpace | Amazon | Aimee Street | Get a FREE Song Sampler
Ray Mason “Like Bugs Chewing On Paper”
Americana rocker Ray Mason is an amalgam of The Barenaked Ladies and Tom Petty, where you can hear a song about almost anything, like an earnest tune about your “Lunch Box.” Mason with his trademark Silvertone guitar has been pumping out music albums since 1996, and it’s an acquired taste. The slow tempo of “Shooting Over The Head” gives way to a full upbeat rocker, with tempo shifts and strings for emphasis. All this is pretty melodic, even the title track, with goofy lyrics about aliens/bugs… “what’s it about a desert in outer space, don’t these creatures like any other place.” Mason has a speaking/singing approach on most of the album that contrasts with his brilliant musicianship. But after albums mid point, it really takes off. My favorite here is “Tourist In Town” – like Stew (Passing Strange) or Todd Rundgren, it’s a funky mix of rock and storytelling through a stream of consciousness narrative. Another highlight is the fun “Everything Worked” with Ray’s best vocal performance. When you hear “Ceiling” you will wonder, Ray could probably write an ode to a lawn sprinkler and you’d love to hear it.
MySpace | CD Baby
Giving thanks this holiday season
While you are passing out leftover turkey over the next couple of days, there are quite a bit of NEW holiday releases out there to help cure the post-Thanksgiving blues. So let loose those holiday songs!
Greg Pope “Christmas Snow”
MySpace | Amazon
Jana Peri “I Hate The Holidays”
MySpace | CD Baby
Andy Goldberg “Jingle Jangle Pop” EP
MySpace | CD Baby | Itunes
Andrew Ripp “Blue Sky Christmas” EP
MySpace | NoiseTrade
David Dewese “Next Christmas”
David’s Website | MySpace | Itunes