Starbelly genius, Dennis Schocket released a solo album last year, and it’s as good as you think it is. “The Cinderblock Mansion” is power pop with an alt. country flavor, that crosses the genre a bit like Wilco’s “Summerteeth” did. With an assist from Myracle Brah’s Andy Bopp, and he starts with the rootys Stones-like “Lovesick Blue” and the very Tom Pettyesque “About the Girl” with a relaxed guitar strum and melodic narrative straight out of “Full Moon Fever”. But the alt-country vibe doesn’t dominate the album and the jangle of “Another Perfect Breakup Song” is a nice highlight. By the time we get to “Breathe” we start to move into a more Wilburys’ styled pop song that has a sweet hook. Then the wicked bluesy opening of the guitars in “Tangerine Scene” gets slightly into a Beatlesque honky tonk and it’s one of my favorites here. The “Girl of the Year” is one of the best singles you’ll hear, with nice multi-tracked harmony in the chorus and descending baselines which recall former band mate Cliff Hillis. Not a bad track is to be found on the album, from the bouncy alt. country pop of “Ghosts” to the sing-a-long tamborine and guitar gem “Unified” – everything is good here. It could’ve made my top ten last year (if I found it then). Fans of the above mentioned bands, and fans of The Jayhawks or Old 97’s may want to give it a try too.

My Space | Kool Kat | Not Lame

After a stunningly good debut in 2005 the South Wales masters of psych-pop sound, El Goodo combines the mellow and melodious psychedelic sounds of the Love, The Byrds and The Troggs with beautiful and intricate arrangements that sound so authentic, you’ll swear it’s a long lost classic. The fuzz electric guitar open up “Feel So Fine” with a gusto that will make fans of Outrageous Cherry jealous. “Aren’t You Glad” is a note perfect classic Beau Brummels type of single with harmonica floating around the melody. The ballads “Don’t Worry Marie” and “Talking To The Birds” are indeed very Zombies-like, with soft vocals harmonies and heavy echo. One of my favorites here is “Information Overload” with it’s guitar line straight out of the Monkees. Things get very silly with “Pete” and “Be My Girl” is sure fire power pop classic with reverb rhythm and Gene Clark guitar touches. It gets in acid tripping mode on the last track, “I Only Dream” rivals “Revolution #9” for hippy soundscapes.

The five piece multi-instrumental band were first noticed by the Super Furry Animals who, in subsequently were their tour’s opening act, introducing El Goodo as a band worthy of critical and mass appeal. As a sophomore album, this does not disappoint, and for all retro-pop fans this is a “must-buy”

My Space | Grease Records | Lala

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Workbook, and also the release of Bob Mould’s latest solo work, “Life And Times”, set for an April 7th street date. Produced and mixed by Mould in his new hometown of Washington D.C, the album is filled with Mould’s experiences in relation to friends, lovers, the world at large and himself. As a long time Mould fan I also liked hearing his latest pop collaboration with producer/remixer extraordinaire Richard Morel, named “Blowoff” – from 2006. The clips on the MySpace page are pretty good. Visit the Blowoff site for more info.

The Creaky Boards made some headlines prior to the album’s release by accusing Coldplay of ripping them off. And it’s true that “Viva La Vida” does sound nearly identical to “The Songs I Didn’t Write” but Andrew Hoepfner freely admits the melody is lifted from a video game. It has definitely put The Creaky Boards on the map, and it seems that this PR helped the band get noticed (there is no lawsuit or anything). In any case, Andrew seems delighted by the media attention. Ironically, “The Songs I Didn’t Write” is about Brian Wilson, and not Coldplay.

Beyond this single, the album is a neo Beach Boys revival – “Now I’m in The City” shines with full Spectorian Wall of Sound production circa 1964, but it has the lyrical confessions of modern groups like The Shins or Belle & Sebastian. The follow up “Brooklyn” has a vague Eastern European sound, like a Mary Hopkin tune played by Kasenetz-Katz. This track is unique, as most of the album follows a melodic “Pet Sounds” template. The harmonies are lush and complex arrangements are full on “Oh Just Be Silent” although the lyrics are paranoid ramblings (“Don’t tell your mother, don’t tell your lover…”). What makes this better than your average Brian Wilson clone, is that Hoepfner includes other dynamic elements, much like Zumpano or Olivia Tremor Control. And the songs are all original, and catchy as hell. “Lie To Me” has a Shangri La’s type vocal break in mid song, and “I’m So Serious” has 50’s styled do-wop backing vocals to support the great melodies. The autobiographical piano ballad “I’m Touching The Electric Fence” and mid-tempo “SOS” are a departure from the rest of the album, but are good songs. This album is never boring or feels derivative and is worth many repeat listens. Enjoy it.

My Space | Creaky Boards website | Itunes | emusic