It’s always a treat to hear from Maple Mars, here is a song from their forthcoming album “Galaxyland”, due out in March on Kool Kat Musik. Written by Mark Radice in the 1970’s, this song should’ve been a huge hit! This version features Mark playing piano, arranging strings and co-producing with Maple Mars frontman Rick Hromadka.
Two Hours Traffic and Pat Walsh
Two Hours Traffic “Territory”
Canada’s Two Hours Traffic is a wonderful band, who’s albums get better and more sophisticated with each release.This album is a bit more dark and cerebral than the award winning “Little Jabs” but it is still a strong effort. The opening power pop single “Noisemaker” has that sunny bounce with a dose of hard reality. The measured “Wicked Side” sounds a little like fellow Canadian rockers Sloan or The Posies, with it’s handclaps and steady beat. At this point, leader Liam Corcoran can rock like this in his sleep and the fast paced songs like “Territory” and “Painted Halo” are smart catchy pop gems. It’s the slower numbers that dominate this album that make it all the more interesting. “Weightless One” is a solid mid-tempo story of an unfulfilling relationship. The themes of betrayal and disillusionment run through the songs, from the sparse sing along “Lost Boys” to the dark “Monster Closet” with it’s dissonant piano chords and refrain “Baby, beware…” It’s not a happy album but a very satisfying one. I guess this happens when you grow up.
Pat Walsh “Egghead”
MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon
Pat Walsh “Egghead”
For fans of The Beatles, XTC, and Martin Newell this album will hit your sweet spot. Walsh starts with the wonderfully pastoral “Supersonic Girl” which sounds a little like Tom Petty playing on XTC’s Mummer. The combination of wry metered lyrics and gentle acoustics on “The Rarest Rose” are melodic poetry set to music. My favorite song is “Up To You” with it’s easy going strum and sticky hook in the chorus. Walsh has a Lindsey Buckingham-like quality with all the layered and intricate guitar work, as “Don’t Go Come Back” is a shimmering gem that should be savored. The title track is another quirky Anglophilic melody and the wonderful imagery continues with “Her Devil’s Food.” These tracks have a Beatlesque arrangement in the best sense without sounding at all like Fabs. And although it’s not always so immediate, each track sinks in like quicksand into your brain after a few plays. This album is a winner that should not be missed by anyone.
Pat Walsh Music | CD Baby | Amazon
New Year, New Look…
Today I logged in and my entire template was screwed up. I don’t know how it happened or why — but the site will go though a day or two of updates and maintenance. Sorry for any inconvenience, albums and reviews will continue as this site redesign continues.
Jana Peri "Catching Flies With Vinegar"
Native New Yorker Jana Peri has been a welcome sight at IPO in recent years, and I wanted to give her props for her solo album, which is a love letter to New York styled rock and roll. Her vocals are reminiscent of Debbie Harry with a touch of Joan Jett, whipped together in a Ramones-styled stew. The guitars have a strong Merseybeat influence on the opener “City Beat.” Fans of CBGB style punk will appreciate the theme “New York Proud” and the fast-paced riffs on “L.A. Girl” have both choice distortion and a melodic touch. The album treads a few familiar styles, as “All Your Fault” uses the opening baseline to “The Beat Goes On” and on “The Boy From Bayonne” is a Shangri-La’s flavored heartache story. Jana excels at both vocals and riffs here and makes it look easy. She leaves it all out there for you on the guitar filled epic “Lust” and the defiant attitude comes through on “I Wanna Rock.” A very noteworthy full length debut.
The Doughboys "Act Your Rage"
As a change of pace, power pop icon Richard X. Heyman puts on his garage/bar band hat and with the rest of the Doughboys (Mike Caruso, Bass – Gar Francis & Willy Kirchofer, guitars – Myke Scavone, vocals and percussion) and play classic rock a la Kinks. Through the grit of Scavone’s vocals is a classic rock and roll sound, and the tell tale hooks on Heyman’s penned “Why Can’t She See Me?” are a welcome treat here. Scavone does some excellent Mick Jagger styled blues on “Carmalina” and the Animals-styled “It’s Alright” are just a few of the gems here. The tinkle of the piano and saxophones on “Queen City” are fun to listen to, but the songwriting on Heyman’s tracks match the band’s bar room sound with equal intensity on “I’m That Kind Of Man.” For more muscle listen to the awesome “I’m Not Your Man” and Gar Francis’ hot guitar licks. Contributors include engineering work by Kurt Reil (The Gripweeds) and Ed Stasium (Ramones, Smithereens). The band has been around for years doling out heavily muscled bar tunes, and now the melody is front and center. Very nice.
MySpace | CD Baby | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Amazon