Not many artists are as versatile as Ken Stringfellow. Power pop fans will know him for his work in the Posies and The Orange Humble Band, his own solo projects and part of the revival of pop legend Big Star. I was thrilled to get to interview him. We talk about his move to Paris, his involvement with Cheap Star, his new band The Disciplines, and even touch on his appearance at the upcoming Charlotte Pop Fest later this week and his time with REM. The opening clip here is “Definite Door” from the album “Frosting On The Beater.” Listen to the entire interview streaming (21 minutes).
It being the holidays, I could not resist this one. Put down your Beatles remastered CDs and listen to this. Enjoy members of the L.A. tribute band The MopTops. The video was directed by the writer and stand-up comic Dave Kessler. Oy Vey — Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah!
The third album from The Brigadier (Matt Williams) continues to showcase his extensive gift of music and melodies. It opens with the impressive and catchy “I’m gonna make you mine Missy” which combines a cutting lead guitar and Beach Boys backing harmonies. This is a bona fide classic track that shouldn’t be missed. Next, “Oh Paddington” is another magical melody with slight psychedelic overtones and a bit like a lost Klaatu track. Slowly, the album gets funkier beats in “Why don’t you love me?” – with very 70’s style syths and a whispering lead that beckons the listener. Much of the gentle almost narrative Roger Waters-meets-McCartney style comes across on tracks in the albums middle. Both “Traditional love songs” and “Ode to Escape” will hold your interest till the very Queen-meets-Moody Blues flavored “Time is a Wound.” The guitar work is excellent, but often a supporting player here as the mood and intricate harmonies lead the song. It’s my favorite on the disc, too. The songs gradually get both delicate and precious with the melodies and themes, like “Something Good” has a baroque current running through it. This tendency eventually leads us to the Kinks-like burlesque of “Jobseeker” and “(I Like) The Look Of You” with light harpsichord and do-wop chorus. The utterly gorgeous finale of “The Insomnia” is a Brian Wilson/Wondermints aria that tells us the author is begging all his active thoughts to stop and let him sleep. This is the kind of release that will keep smart pop fans up late nights, playing The Brigadier over and over again.
The Brilliant Inventions “Have You Changed” The Atlanta Singer/Songwriter duo have a bright folk pop style that they demonstrate well on the opener “Isn’t It Worth It.” Both Josh Lamkin and Eliot Bronson both play guitar and harmonize together to bring a natural sound that may remind a few of The Rembrandts and a good example of this is on the next track “Have You Changed.” Clearly they have a really good sound and are skilled musicians. The Ben Folds-lite piano song “There Goes My Heart” almost works, but the fast paced “If You Want It” clearly pushes into power pop territory along the lines of Fountains of Wayne. And these guys also excel at the ballads here, as the soulful “Lights You Up” chimes away and lends a very Del Amitri flavor to the song. The slower tracks like “You Don’t Have To Be Strong” and “We Don’t Have The Words” sound beautiful, but leave your memory quickly. The energetic “Tell Her I’m Gone” is lyrically a lot of fun with lines like “what am I gonna do with a dog and cat/I told her they died so she wouldn’t come back” and “Restless” seems to channel Glen Tilbrook a little bit. But the guys need to take it to the next level as far as songwriting goes, and pop some hooks into a chorus now and then. Until that time give these guys a listen, and they might just grow on you.
Benjamin R “The Other Side Of Nowhere” Robert Selvaggio aka Benjamin R was a music producer for bands like Eagle Eye Cherry and Puddle Of Mudd. He steps out from behind the production booth with his own material here. Robert makes good use of his studio smarts, and the sound on the opener “Quit” is quite impressive. Sounding like a cross between adult oriented pop and rootsy rock, similar to Neil Diamond or Ric Ocasik. Some nice touches and electric violin on “History” make it a great ballad. “Not Gonna Let You Go” has a good chorus, and the steady guitar rhythms and organ lead make it the most Cars-like. Another good song is “Time is Running Out” and the slightly celtic rhythms of the mid-tempo “Letters.” Some songs are very emotionally strong, like “I Don’t Need This Anymore.” The entire album’s theme sounds like the script for a slow painful divorce and the angst clearly runs in a progression from “Falling Apart” to “This Time (I Hope You’re Happy)” – not so cheerful, but a solid debut.
Probably my favorite song about a beautiful sunny day. I have still been thinking of the passing of ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt. Kelly Groucutt was responsible for the distinctive high-pitched backing vocals present on many later Electric Light Orchestra songs, particularly from the album A New World Record (1976) onwards. For another great ELO video, see The Diary of Horace Wimp