Gymnasium and Lund Brothers

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Hansen's Pop 'n' Rock Music '22

Gymnasium “Hansen’s Pop ‘n’ Rock Music ’22”

What can you say about a guy toiling away in obscurity who deserves more exposure? That would be the Boston-based band, Gymnasium, and it’s lead creator Charles Hansen. He’s gathered a large contingent of guest musicians to help create this massive 22-song double album. Who? Let’s name drop a few: Anthony Kaczynski (Firekings), Mike Gent (The Figgs), John Powhida (The Click Five), and many, many more. If you love guitar-based power pop and rock, you’ll definitely find some favorite songs here.

Styles vary across the album, but I loved the Cheap Trick-styled “Tavern at the End of the World,” and the layered guitar rhythm of “Sad Country.” The grand epic vocals of Chris Cote on “Arguing with the Setting Sun” help make it a new heavy rock classic. The fast fuzz of “Little Disaster” is another compelling rocker, along with the wicked lead guitar of “Coast to Coast Companion” with its spacey verse breaks along the way. My favorite here is “Down to a Glimmer” which resembles a Pink Floyd slow ballad, that slowly turns into a Joe Walsh-styled guitar solo, and it’s a true thing of beauty. So much here lands perfectly, and yes it could’ve been trimmed a little – however as a music fan, you’ll love sorting through these tracks. Highly recommended.

Amazon

Lund Brothers “Across State Lines”

The hard-rocking brothers Chris and Sean Lund have entertained fans for over 40 years with their brand of melodic guitar rock. It’s been a few years, but the new album Across State Lines continues the tradition. Opening with “Flyin” it boasts the chord shifts and harmonies that have wow’ed many, and fans of early 80’s rock bands (like 38 Special and Zebra) and power pop classic influences (Big Star, Beatles) will enjoy this as well. But keep in mind, most of this album is mid-tempo ballads. Explore earlier LPs for harder rock.

“Red, Blue, and Gold” and “Killin Me” are timely standouts, especially the latter tune about the frustrations of technology. “Love U” is another one, with those sweeping riffs and echoing verses, and the self-promoting “Want Your Money” has some of that Big Star DNA, as they sing “we know what it takes to make a hit.” While other songs aren’t that strong, there are enough tracks here to make this an album that deserves your attention. Check it out.

Bandcamp only


July Singles, EPs and Freebies: Any Version of Me, Dana Countryman, Eric Barao, Anatomy Class, The Valery Trails, Supercrush, Ryan Hamilton

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July is here and the AC is on full blast. This is why I like to check on new music from old friends. French artist Any Version of Me does his best Brian Wilson tribute with “Away,” perfect for the beach. If you’d like classic pop greatness, you have the talented Dana Countryman offering up a FREEBIE that you can’t miss; made of assorted selections from his catalog, and “Summer Sand” is another sweet Beach Boys-styled gem. It’s been a long time, but Eric Barao has a delicate ballad that just tugs at your heart; “Whoever You Are.” Aussie rockers Anatomy Class impressed me with its anthemic rich melody, fans of Lemonheads, Swervedriver, and Pixies will adore “Expo 88,” and another band from down under The Valery Trails celebrates the summer with “Jaisalmer,” a bouncy rocker stocked with guitars and horns. Seattle’s Supercrush seriously reminds me of Superdrag and other late 90’s power pop on its perfect EP Melody Maker. and finally, Ryan Hamilton is back and he tells you to write your troubles down, then fold your worries into “Paper Planes.” Hope it flies far!








West Coast Music Club and Kai Danzberg

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West Coast Music Club

West Coast Music Club “Faded Scrapbook”

The opening track “Fanclub Favourite” says what every under-the-radar band would love to hear “You’re still our favourite though you never really made it…” and the UK-based band does its best to spread those positive fan club vibes early on.  This is the fourth album for the band; Martin Adams (vocals/guitar), Peter Madden (guitar/bass/vocals), and Marc Joy (drums, etc.) and they have a slight psych-pop vibe with ethereal harmonies; fans of Teenage Fanclub, early-REM and The Ocean Blue will enjoy these jangling melodies.

Adams’s lead vocal is soft and slightly weary but fits those guitar-based melodies perfectly.  The Byrdsian rhythms are hypnotic on the title track and “Here It Comes Again,” a tune about an unwelcome earworm. The noise drone of “Hotel California” is very much in the shoegazer genre, lacking much of a hook its not for everyone. The band’s sound seems to evolve the further you listen. The emotional acoustic “The View From Here” is poignant and looks to make amends for past transgressions. It follows this form a bit until later on when we get the lively “Serendipity” which feels like a Velvet Underground outtake. The last track “Ouija Doll” is another echoing-fuzz gem. Overall a good album that takes repeat listens to grow on you. Check it out.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

Kai Danzberg

Kai Danzberg “Satellite”

Kai Danzberg is a next-generation power-pop artist with a collection of classic power pop influences, but this album is a self-produced love letter to Electric Light Orchestra. After a lengthy prelude, the single “Turn It Up” with Roger Manning Jr. (Jellyfish, Lickerish Quartet) is loaded with enthusiasm, and fun melodic hooks – it easily could’ve been on the Xanadu Soundtrack. The instrumentation may recall Jeff Lynne, but Kai keeps his original compositions in the present day.

“Diva Eyes” and “Oh Baby!” both have that late 70’s feel (circa Discovery) and ELO fans will have fun playing spot the influence, especially on barely disguised re-writes like “Voodoo Woman.” Another standout, “Lonely Together” is an exceptional tune that includes a loaded brass section. The quiet ballad “Satellite” is also a great showcase for Kai’s heartfelt songwriting technique. The coda “Turn It Up (Reprise)” wraps it up in a neat bow. This started as a fan-funded project and is a digital-only release. Overall, highly recommended.

Bandcamp only

Even More June EPs and Singles: Walcot, Timmy Sean, Brian Jay Cline, Geoff Palmer, Mom, Ex-Norwegian, Big Star

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While the band Walcot was formed in Chicago, they moved to Charlotte, NC. and released their debut Songs For the Disenfranchised. The catchy single “Dreamin’ Away” is joined by some equally good songs; “Another Man,” and the laid-back gem “It Feels Alright.” The songs are so skillfully done, I expect great things in the future for them. With the legend Paul McCartney hitting age 80 this month, our friend Timmy Sean covers the Wings classic faithfully. While it shares the same title as a Bond movie, Western rocker Brian Jay Cline always comes up with something uniquely good, and here it is with “Never Say Never.” Geoff Palmer (The Connection) dusted off his 2010 debut album, originally under the name “Geoff Useless” – fans will enjoy this one! The Brits known simply as Mom released a pair of singles, and I really like “Scary Mary,” and it’s a FREEBIE. Enjoy the tunes!






REISSUES OF THE MONTH

The debut album of Ex-Norwegian was re-mastered and re-released. If you missed my review, it was posted on Virgin.com before it was rudely deleted. But take my word for it… “a terrific album that delivers superior melodies along with adventurous arrangements,”  check out “Something Unreal” to get a taste of this classic.

Did you know that Big Star is now on Bandcamp? Know your musical history, bro. This is one of the most influential rock bands ever and of course a seminal power-pop band.

Pop Co-op and Buzz Clic Adventure

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Pop Co-Op

Pop Co-Op “Suspension”

The quartet of Steve Stoeckel (Spongetones), Bruce Gordon, Stacy Carson, and Joel Tinnel continue the experiment known as Pop Co-Op. The flowing psych-pop of the opening title track “Suspension” is almost like a “loosen-up” session, and the single “I Just Love to Watch Her Dance” takes hold, with a delicate opening, and then launches into the fast-paced verses. The jangle and harmonies are lovely on “Air Heart” and euro-rhythmic “Out My Window” are early highlights.

The band tries a few different approaches to prevent predictability, and sometimes it doesn’t quite work (“Run and Hide”). But more often, the band hits the right notes, and the inventive “Unquestionably I-95,” Why Didn’t We?” and “Always In The Past” all channel the bandmembers frustrations with regrets and lost opportunities. The music succeeds on many levels and doesn’t always rely on those McCartney-like musings of age (“The Odd One.”) Overall, highly recommended.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik


Buzz Clic Adventure with Phil Seymour

Buzz Clic Adventure with Phil Seymour “California”

Buzz Clic (aka  Elmer Charles Brandt Jr.) was a friend of the late great Phil Seymour (Dwight Twilley Band) and in 1991 the duo had a self-released album that remained a little-heard rarity. A few years later, Seymour died of cancer and this album was eventually released on Smog Veil Records, but again it disappeared. Thanks to the archival label Wizzard In Vinyl, the album is back with several bonus tracks.

Buzz adds his punk instrumentation to an overblown 90’s hair metal style on the opener “Lonely One,” and thankfully over the next several tracks more melodic tunes like “Sunsets In Blue” and “Baby Baby Baby” appear. Seymour seems to be having fun on the classic “Tallahassee Lassie” but most of the tracks are very average sounding or worse. The bonus tracks aren’t much better, even with Twilley guesting on “Don’t Lead Me On.”  Recommended for Seymour/Twilley completists only.

Amazon | Wizzard In Vinyl